A brace from Labinot Haliti & a match sealer to Iacopo La Rocca has brought the Western Sydney Wanderers to the brink of their maiden A-League Premiership in a 3-1 win over Melbourne Heart.
The three points puts them 8 points clear of the Central Coast Mariners, and broke the all-time Australian League record for wins in a row, taking the current tally to 10. Central Coast must win their match tomorrow against Brisbane Roar to keep the title race alive. Western Sydney were well on top early in the wet conditions. This match was vital to the finals chances of Melbourne Heart and their desperation manifested in a thuggish display throughout the match.
4 minutes in Heart conceded a free kick just outside the box. Aaron Mooy's delivery to back post gave Nikolai Topor-Stanley a free header from a tight, narrow angle and the big central defender should have hit the target rather than the side netting.
Mark Bridge tripping of Jonatan Germano put Western Sydney on the back foot. In the first of a number of unsavoury incidents involving the Melbourne Heart supporters, one of their number shined a laser at Ante Covic as he tried to line up his wall. Luckily for Covic the shot was aimed directly in the middle of the goal, no problem for the keeper.
After 20 minutes Aaron Mooy, who was playing as the central attacking midfielder in the absence of Shinji Ono, turned his marker and unleashed from the edge of the area but like Mehbratu before him could only find the opposition keeper. 7 had passed when Mooy used his skill to create the opening goal of the match. Mooy's strong work in the box in gathering a blocked cut-back allowed him to find Haliti along the floor. Haliti had made space for himself by backing away from the Heart defensive line, his first-time shot on the left foot beating Andrew Redmayne, smacking the far post and rebounding to bulge the net to the delight of Haliti who made his way to celebrate in front of the several hundred travelling supporters.
When only 6 minutes remained in the first half Melbourne Heart struck back. The most dangerous Heart player Mehbratu was fed by Fred and was encouraged to shoot by the 6,000 or so home supporters. Beauchamp, Poljak & La Rocca all failed to close down quickly enough, the three Wanderers failing to converge in time as he let fly with his right foot. It cracked off boot, a pile driver from at least 25 meters out, swerving away from the outstretched Covic, whistling past his hands like a gunshot. Western Sydney had a scare in the last minutes of the half, a free kick not being cleared, Heart headed the ball toward goal, it evaded Covic but thankfully for the league leaders the final touch came from a clearly offside position.
The second half was more of the same, poor defense from Heart, thuggish tackling from Heart and a goal from Haliti, this one on the hour mark. La Rocca had stepped up from his usual defensive midfield position to threaten on goal. Haliti drifted between defenders, Simon Colosimo looked to shut down La Rocca but the Italian knocked the ball through into the path of Haliti who swept the ball over the head of Redmayne to put the Wanderers back in front.
Aaron Mooy had to be replaced when clattered into disgracefully by Richard Garcia, joining Polenz as the second Wanderer to be substituted due to injury. Youssouf Hersi should have had his great cross rewarded with an assist, Dino Kresinger getting a free sight on goal only yards out. Unfortunately Kresinger could only steer his header straight into the path of Redmayne.
Just when it looked like that miss could help Heart back into the match they shot themselves in the foot. Simon Colosimo picking up two yellow cards in nearly as many minutes for two stupid challenges on Kresinger, the second he slide in late and recklessly and wasn't even close to the ball, Ben Williams showing no hesitation in sending the Heart veteran from the field.
While the red card may have cruelled the hopes of the much needed comeback for the Heart, it was Iacopo La Rocca who ended the game as a contest. A Jason Trifiro cross was cleared only as far as Poljak, who noticed that La Rocca was free on the other flank. His looping cross found it's target, as the Heart defense claimed in vain for what would have been an incorrect offside call, La Rocca calmly brought the ball down with a brilliant first touch to put the ball in front of him, followed by a pin-point accurate bending shot that curved around the stranded Redmayne.
If Central Coast fail to win their match against Brisbane Roar on Sunday, Western Sydney will secure their maiden Premiership in their inaugural year, an incredible achievement. Labinot Haliti is one of a number of Wanderers yet to sign a new contract for next season, his brace here and his match-winner against Central Coast are making it nearly impossible for Popovic to allow Haliti to leave. He looks the most dangerous of all the forwards in the squad and will likely lead the line if not for the Derby & against his former club Newcastle, all the way into the finals series.
The Wanderers next match is against Sydney FC at Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta, on Saturday the 23rd of March at 7:45pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
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