Western United are A-League champions in just their third season after beating Melbourne City 2-0 in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The encounter started horribly for City as Nuno Reis put in an own goal in the second minute, while Aleksandar Prijovic’s strike in the 30th minute gave Western United a two-goal buffer that they’d never look back from.
.@wufcofficial have a TWO-GOAL Grand Final lead! 🔥
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 28, 2022
This time it's Aleksandar Prijović finding the back of the net, as Western take command.
Follow live: https://t.co/0P0t7dsRVa#ALeagueMenGF pic.twitter.com/LgnKKBeJvk
Having played a significant hand in both goals, Prijovic was named the Joe Marston medallist for his best afield performance.
While they put two goals on the board to City's zero, it was the losing side that had most of the play attempting 16 shots to Western’s seven.
Ultimately, the game was won for Western United as the favourites couldn’t land any type of decisive blow as John Aloisi’s side held up in defence.
Speaking post-match, Aloisi said winning the Grand Final was equal to his famous penalty which sent Australia to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
“It does, it does, it really does (match that moment),” Aloisi said.
“Where the club has come from ... it’s only three seasons old, to be able to do what we did not only tonight but from the beginning of the season is amazing.”
For Aloisi, it’s his first title as manager after stints with both Melbourne Heart and Brisbane Roar.
Western United also become the first team since Melbourne Victory in 2018 to win the Grand Final from outside of the top two.
Photo: Football Australia Twitter.