A-League finals: Western United upset Brisbane Roar as Alessandro Diamanti magic proves difference

Western United’s fairytale debut season remains alive with the newcomers just one win away from the decider after it all came down to a moment of absolute brilliance from one man against Brisbane Roar.

Alessandro Diamanti after what turned out to be the matchwinning strike.

That’s why he’s the best player in the league.

Alex Tobin Medal winner Alessandro Diamanti produced a moment of beauty on Sunday night to continue Western United’s fairytale season and eliminate Brisbane Roar with a feisty 1-0 win.

Entering the A-League finals as arguably the hottest team in the competition, with four wins from six starts after the shutdown, Western continued their remarkable run of form by upsetting the fourth-placed Roar to set up a derby clash against City in Wednesday night’s first semi-final.

And, with the magical Diamanti pulling the strings, they’ll fancy their chances not just against one of the league’s glamour clubs — but to go all the way.

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“I still think there’s more to come from Dia – and the rest of the players,” said Western manager Mark Rudan.

“There were things there we can improve on. I wasn’t entirely happy. If we’re going to get through the next stage we have to be better.

“To be in the last four, the semi-finals, in our first ever crack… it’s just amazing, it really is.

“But it doesn’t stop. These players want more. The club wants more and we’ll continue to hopefully provide more as well.”

The 37-year-old Italian maestro showed why he was last week crowned the A-League’s best player with a spectacular free kick goal in the 21st minute.

Taking the ball 30 metres out, Diamanti curled a ball around the wall and into the top right corner — beating Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young, who was only able to palm the effort into the top of the net.

United 💚🖤 #PlayOn pic.twitter.com/8xLocdoHQr

— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) August 23, 2020

PROUD TO BE VICTORIAN! #SportsCapital WE'RE INTO THE SEMI-FINALS 💚🖤 #BRIvWUN #PlayOn #FirstYearFinalist #WellDone 💪🏼⚽️👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/0HceCVjdnm

— John Eren MP YNWA (@johnerenmp) August 23, 2020

Western had won a perfect 10 from 10 when winning at halftime this season, so had reason to be buoyant when they went to the sheds up 1-0 at the break.

Jamie Young attempts to stop a free kick taken by star signing Alessandro Diamanti.

But Young was outstanding for Brisbane, keeping them in the hunt by saving a sharp chance from Socceroo Josh Risdon early in the second half before brilliantly regathering to deny Max Burgess a simple tap-in.

Burgess gave coach Mark Rudan a scare shortly after suffering an ankle injury early in the second half — and Andrew Durante followed suit when he was involved in an ugly collision with Brisbane striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls that left the veteran defender clutching at his left ankle.

Young did get a hand to the ball but could only palm it into the top of the net.

Both players soldiered on, but Risdon needed replacing after going down in injury time, ensuring Rudan will be carrying a few players with bumps and bruises into Wednesday’s semi.

Brisbane dominated large parts of the opening stanza, but were wasteful with their chances — failing to produce a shot on goal as veteran striker Scott McDonald, who started the season at Western before a falling out delivered him to Brisbane, sprayed several chances wide.

“The boys in there are hurting… but they’ve spoken about what that means to go one step better,” Moon said.

“I felt we were the better team… ultimately undone by a moment of brilliance by a very good player.”

Diamanti proved to be a headache for Roar all night.

Diamanti’s superb goal will be celebrated for some time.

McDonald always looked the most likely threat from the Roar, and laid on a glorious chance for an unmarked James O’Shea early in the second half — only to watch the midfielder send a meek shot into the arms of Filip Kurto.

Brisbane continued to search for a goal that would keep their season alive, but the closest they would come was a Brad Inman offering which cannoned into the post with little more than 20 minutes to go.

Diamanti celebrates his stunning strike with Western United coach Mark Rudan.

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Originally published as A-League finals: Western United upset Brisbane Roar as Alessandro Diamanti magic proves difference