Western United’s Besart Berisha is eager to enter finals with momentum in tonight’s potential playoffs preview, a Sydney-based Melbourne derby against Melbourne City.
United beat ladder minor premiers Sydney FC and faces second-place City in the final game of the regular season. A club-record fourth straight Hyundai A-League win would secure third spot for Mark Rudan’s side, an expansion feat only topped by Western Sydney (2013).
Berisha has been in vintage form, scoring four goals in three games since the A-League restart, and United’s 2019-20 top scorer said there is all to play for.
“There is still a lot to achieve and I want to create more history. I want to keep driving forward, keep scoring. I remember it always put a big smile on my family and my father, when I scored goals. Now it’s the same, I want to make people smile,” Berisha said.
Striker Berisha hailed the supply from star Alessandro Diamanti, who’s created a record 18 scoring chances for him this season – excluding the Italian’s audacious halfway attempt.
“When I arrived, he knew how hungry I am. He told me, Bes, get ready I’m going to bring you the delivery you need. (The chip) is his class, wish he scored, goal of the year,” he said.
Midfielder Seb Pasquali, one of eight under 21 players on the pitch in Western United’s 2-1 win over top-of-the-table Sydney FC, admitted having a stellar view of Diamanti’s lob.
“Was right behind it, best view in the house, was sure it was going in, unfortunately gravity didn’t do its work – his skills are unbelievable. Great to beat the champions with young fellas, shows we’ve got (many) facets to our team, got something special,” Pasquali said.
Pasquali was adamant United wanted to finish strong: “We want to bloody win and there could be a potential Asian Champions League playoff position riding on the result.”
Match details:
WESTERN UNITED v MELBOURNE CITY
Wednesday August 19, 2020
Jubilee Stadium, 7.30pm AEST
TV: Live on Fox Sports and Kayo
ELIMINATION FINAL
WESTERN UNITED v TBC
August 22 or 23
