Aloisi puts heat on AL as Western Utd draw

WESTERN United men’s team boss John Aloisi has unloaded on A-League scheduling, describing his side’s summer afternoon kick-offs as “ridiculous” after the Green and Black fought back for a 2-2 draw away to Macarthur last Saturday.

Temperatures reached 33 degrees Celsius at the Bulls’ Campbelltown Stadium prior to kick-off and the first half was an uninspiring affair with neither side willing to play with any intensity.

The game did spark into life in the second half, with Kearyn Baccus’ dismissal for a second yellow card leading to United breaking the deadlock through Lachlan Wales.

The Bulls jagged two goals back through Matthew Millar and Jed Drew and looked to be heading for an unlikely debut victory under new coach Mile Sterjovski.

But Nicolas Milanovic struck just before added time to give the visitors a valuable draw.

Despite his side’s comeback, Aloisi flagged concerns over the quality of a game that attracted a measly crowd of just 2898.

“It’s ridiculous we have to play in this heat,” he said. “It’s hard work for the players and there’s the recovery factor.

“You want to see a good football game, but it’s unfair on the players and the supporters.

“It doesn’t invite a high-intensity game, it doesn’t invite you to press.

“You’re hoping players can get through a game and it’s hard to play your style when it’s like that.”

Aloisi’s view was echoed by Sterjovski, who replaced Dwight Yorke as Bulls boss earlier this week and has stressed a desire for his side to play with panache.

“The pace of the game really slowed down,” said Sterjovski, who lost winger Daniel Arzani to cramp.

“We want to play an attractive style of football… We would prefer later kick-offs.”

After Baccus’ 49th minute second yellow, for a raised foot in a tackle with Noah Botic, Western took control and then the lead when Wales fired past Filip Kurto on the hour mark.

The Bulls quickly rallied, with Millar poking home from close range before Drew finished past Jamie Young to give the home side a lead with 10 minutes left.

There was one final twist, with Milanovic bursting through a sea of Macarthur defenders to grab a late equaliser.

The result leaves the Bulls in sixth spot, while 11th-placed Western are one win outside the finals places.

– BY GEORGE CLARKE/ AAP