‘We really needed that’: drought-breaking win a relief for Berisha, United
Besart Berisha says snapping Western United's three-game winless run was a must, as they recorded a 3-1 win over his former side Melbourne Victory.
The three points at GMHBA Stadium come at an important time for United, who had not even scored int heir previous three games. The win keeps them in touch of the top four and creates a one-game gap between them and Wellington in fifth place.
It has been a stop-start campaign for Mark Rudan’s side who have four losses, four wins and one draw to their name to date, but Berisha says their second win over Victory for the season should kick-start a healthy run of form for the league’s new boys.
‘It was a very important win for the team, for the club, because of the three losses,” Berisha told FOX Sports post-match.
“We really needed that.
“We wanted to work hard and keep going, we’ve been really unlucky the last three games.
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“We just couldn’t score, we couldn’t play our game, I’m so happy to win the game.
“One thing was not scoring but one thing was not to be able to keep helping the team.
“It was not an easy situation, three games losing.
"We are a new team. We live for every point, every win, every good momentum.
“It was really difficult but we stick together, we talk a lot, stay positive.
“We deserved in the end to win the game.”
After United conceded a goal early in the game, Berisha fired in two first-half headers as he led yet another United comeback win over his former side, relegating Victory to their worst ever start to a Hyundai A-League campaign with just eight points from their first nine games.
In light of the damning statistic, Victory forward Robbie Kruse says the time is now to string together a run of positive performances which will warrant a turnaround in form for his side.
“Back to the drawing board for next week,” Kruse told FOX Sports post match.
“There comes a time now when you have to start stringing some games together.
“Last week was a good win and this week was good training.
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“If you can’t defend crosses, block crosses.... (and) we couldn’t finish off the chances we had, you don’t deserve to win.
“When you go in 3-1 at half-time, it’s obviously difficult.
“We knew all week that they like to get crosses into the box.
“I think they had three shots in the first half, three of them from crosses, and they scored [them all].
“We hit the post three times and their keeper has made a couple of good saves.
“At half-time, it should never have been 3-1.
“Then they have the right to sit deep and play the game out, it makes it difficult.”
Western United travel to play Brisbane Roar for the first time in Round 10. The match, on Friday, 13 December at Suncorp Stadium, kicks off at 6.30pm local, 7.30pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more at the Match Centre here
Melbourne Victory are back at AAMI Park in Round 10, hosting Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, 14 December. The clash kicks off at 5pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more at the Match Centre here
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