The Western Sydney Wanderers Hyundai A-League team have tasted defeat for the first time this season, going down 2-1 to Western United in Geelong tonight.
The Red & Black fought hard all the way and gave it their best shot, only to fall short.
Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Brisbane Roar last week with Patrick Ziegler coming into the heart of the defence to replace the injured Matthew Jurman and Nicolai Muller making his starting debut
The Red & Black got off to a strong start with Mitchell Duke opening the scoring on five minutes after some great work from Daniel Georgievski, who found the captain with a lovely pass. It was Duke’s fourth goal of the season.
However, the home side leveled just eight minutes later through Andrew Durante, who headed home from an Alessandro Diamanti corner.
Daniel Lopar continued his great form denying United twice in the 23rd and 40th minutes as United continued to apply the pressure.
The sides went into the break all square at 1-1.
The visitors were under pressure early in the second half with Lopar making a huge save off a Scott McDonald header on 48 minutes.
Not to be outdone, the Wanderers went down the other end soon after and goalkeeper Filip Kurto was forced to make a terrific save from a Kwame Yeboah effort.
The Wanderers had a let-off when the VAR denied United a goal from a McDonald header, ruling the ball had not crossed the goal line.
United took the lead on 58 minutes when former Wanderers player Kwabena Appiah slotted home.
Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel rang in the changes with Mo Adam replacing Muller before Jake Trew replaced Alex Meier. It was Trew’s Hyundai A-League debut.
The Wanderers pressed hard in the later stages in search of an equalizer and went close when Duke drove the ball through a sea of bodies but Adam couldn’t steer home the rebound.
