Western United have set up an A-League semi final clash with Melbourne Victory after edging past Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in Saturday night’s elimination final.
Western are now priced at 4/1 to go on and win the grand final, but the next step is to get past Melbourne Victory, who they will play over two legs.
Speaking after the win coach John Aloisi saluted the achievement of everyone involved to get this far and says it is well deserved after competing at the top of the ladder all year.
Now he is looking forward to a huge double-header against Victory with a place in the final at stake.
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"It's huge for the club. Another home final against Victory, that's massive," Aloisi told reporters. "The players deserve it and the club deserve it because for the whole year we've been in the top two or three so we deserve to be there, along with Victory, and along with City.
"It's massive for the game in Melbourne and we're excited to be there. We know it's going to be difficult because Victory are a good side but it's huge, it's over two legs, they're both at AAMI Park. It's another two home finals for us, really."
Meanwhile veteran goalkeeper Jamie Young has hailed coach Aloisi and says he is the main reason that Western have got this far.
"I don't think many people would think that we would be where we are," Young said. "But I've known the boss probably a decade now and I know what he brings to the table. You're looking at one of the top three coaches in the country and (assistant) Hayden Foxe is right up there as well.”
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