Western United denied by Perth Glory in debut home match but expansion club shows it’s here to stay
A modest crowd watch Western United’s first home game in the A-League against Perth Glory but the expansion club is forging an identity that will win over fans.
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Western United was among the least ready of the expansion bids to start this season, considering the jewel in their crown was a yet-to-be-built stadium.
The first home game were humble beginnings by the club’s own admission, but “proud” club chiefs vowed to remain for the long haul and pledged to “grow the game we all love”.
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Tenacious United drew 1-1 with last season’s minor premier Perth Glory and had a red-hot crack until the death.
A modest debut crowd of 6888 at GMHBA Stadium, but their reception at the final whistle indicates they’ll be back, including the 1000 kids who marched on the pitch wearing local club colours and the 100-strong active fans.
United coach Mark Rudan hailed the momentous occasion.
“Exciting, really good. The people in the stadium today can forever say they were there for the first ever game at home,” Rudan said.
“We are grateful to the fans, we understand how important it is to grow this club. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a win for them today.
“It’s important we stay focused, confidence and belief is important.”
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TEMPORARY HOME
While Western United’s new stadium will be built 54km down the road in Tarneit, that’s at least two years away.
In the meantime they want to lay foundations at their temporary base in Geelong.
“Over time we’ll build a crowd and good corporate support and over time people will see Western United is here for the long journey,” CEO Chris Pehlivanis said.
“We’re in discussions about setting up a base in Geelong.”
More than 300 attended the pre-game corporate function, including politicians, councillors, football and AFL and football chiefs, including Geelong chief Brian Cook.
The vibe was positive and unpretentious, an admission of the long, rocky journey ahead.
“We don’t really have expectations season one, but we’ll set a good foundation and we’ll be a brand in the community that people can trust,” Pehlivanis said.
WESTERN UNITED’S DNA
Considering membership is approaching 4000, the crowds look set to grow, while the club’s black and green Kappa merchandise is selling strong.
Western United’s signing strategy was focused on building a competitive team, without a local-focused narrative, a la Melbourne Victory and Western Wanderers in their debut seasons — who were conscious of majority local signings in season one, which helped forged their identities.
But coach Mark Rudan is conscious of forging the club’s identity in working-class roots, which was evident in their home debut.
The United players all worked hard, but the quality stood out via their opening goal, when Kone sublimely curled the ball into the top left corner, continuing the Round 2 trend of world-class strikes.
EXPANSION STRATEGY
It was Groundhog Day in a sense, as Melbourne Heart were the 11th team in 2010.
The fact that North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast have since departed underlines FFA’s botched expansion strategy. United was one of 15 bids during this most recent process.
The many empty seats yesterday suggests that Western United’s entry should have been delayed at least a year, if not until their stadium was ready. But it doesn’t mean it won’t work.
There will be growing pains, but the geographic anchor, financial commitment, competitive team and the hard work taking place behind the scenes indicate they’ll succeed.
KONE ADDS CLASS TO NEW BOYS
Western United coach Mark Rudan declared that goalscorer Panagiotis Kone symbolises his team’s potential, while honouring the fans after the club’s momentous home debut.
A world-class strike from the ex-Greece international from outside the penalty box looked set to hand the expansion club a home debut win, before substitute Kristian Popovic — the son of Perth Glory coach Tony — sublimely headed home a late equaliser at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.
Almost 7000 watched the 1-1 draw at GMHBA Stadium, that leaves Western United undefeated after two games — the first expansion club to do so — heading into next Sunday’s home Victorian derby against Melbourne City.
Rudan said defender Ersan Gulum, striker Besart Berisha, who came close to scoring again, and Kone can only get better after playing little in the last year.
“It’s not an easy one for Pana, he’s been away from football for a long time. If he can do something like that in round two, you can only imagine what he’ll be able to do later in the season.
“He’s a helluva player. His work ethic is huge, he’s dangerous in the box and outside the box. He’s off with leg speed and getting minutes, we know that, so we’ve worked smartly with him. Credit to him, he’s worked hard.
“Its encouraging — last week they got a lot of confidence from the win away last week.”
Popovic, whose Glory side has all the hallmarks of the team that finished top and made last season’s grand final, admitting being proud seeing his son score a debut goal.
While A-League stars Bruno Fornaroli, Diego Castro and Chris Ikonomidis failed to fire, teenager Popovic backed up a brilliant run with a superb header 14 minutes from time — and just eight minutes after replacing Spaniard Juande.
“I don’t think you can plan for that. It’s a special moment, it’s a bit more (special) it’s your son,” said Popovic, whose younger son striker Gabriel was an unused substitute.
“The key aspect is it was such a an important goal for us (securing a draw). It silenced them (the United crowd).”
Originally published as Western United denied by Perth Glory in debut home match but expansion club shows it’s here to stay