A-League
Michael Ruhs’ Late Strike Seals Dramatic Win
In a pulsating encounter at Allianz Stadium, Michael Ruhs delivered an 87th-minute winner to hand Western United a spectacular 4-3 victory over Sydney FC on Saturday evening.
Western United Edge Out Sky Blues in a See-Saw Battle
The match unfolded as a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with Sydney FC battling back twice to equalize at 1-1 and 3-3. However, Ruhs emerged as the hero in the dying moments, capping off a swift counterattack to clinch all three points for John Aloisi’s determined Western United side.
Western United struck first with a goal from Noah Botic, but Sydney’s Adrian Segecic turned the game around with a brace, giving the Sky Blues a 2-1 advantage at halftime. Undeterred, Western mounted a spirited second-half comeback. Abel Walatee and Rhys Bozinovski found the net to restore their team’s lead, only for Sydney defender Rhyan Grant to level the score at 3-3 with a thunderous header.
The drama reached its climax in the final minutes when Ruhs, coming off the bench, found the back of the net to seal the win for Western United. The victory marked their second triumph of the season and delivered a significant blow to Sydney FC, who have now suffered back-to-back losses and three defeats in their last four games.
What This Means for Both Teams
Sydney FC’s defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed, leaving Steve Corica’s team struggling to find consistency. Meanwhile, Western United’s ability to grind out results under pressure bodes well for their campaign as they eye a climb up the table.
