Outgoing Western United boss Chris Pehlivanis has defended the membership’s nomadic existence because the 2022 A-League champions edge nearer to taking part in house video games out of their coaching base for the upcoming season.
Having entered the A-League in 2019, United nonetheless doesn’t have a house floor, with the completion of its long-awaited stadium west of Melbourne not less than two years away.
When the draw for the 2023-24 A-League season was launched on Thursday, all of United’s house matches had venues “TBC” (to be confirmed).
However, membership chief government Pehlivanis – who’s serving a six-month discover interval after resigning from his job – stated that this summer time, United would begin to play A-League matches at its Tarneit facility which might maintain as few as 5000 spectators.
“It’s in the final stage of development, with completion on track for this summer,” he stated.
“We know that we’ll be playing games there. It’s just locking it in now. We’re at the final stages, and we’re all excited.
“This is the first step in moving to the area that’s going to be home, and that’s what we’ve all been waiting for. Everyone’s doing an amazing job working together.”
In the meantime, United should discover someplace to play its house matches.
The membership’s first three video games of the season are away, with United’s first match at house on Saturday, November 11 in opposition to Newcastle.
At least three, more than likely extra, of United’s house video games should performed someplace apart from Tarneit.
“There are hopefully not that many fixtures before we can move in,” Pehlivanis stated.
In its quick historical past, United has performed house video games at Geelong, Footscray, Ballarat, Launceston, Hobart and AAMI Park.
“All of them are an option before we move to Tarneit. Now that we’ve got the fixture, we can work on it and go to have a discussion with them all,” Pehlivanis stated.
“This is a way we can go to say thank you to those areas we’ve played in the past, and then make sure that the fanbase comes along with us on our journey as well.
“I’m sure everyone’s pretty comfortable.”
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar’s long-awaited everlasting return to Suncorp Stadium was confirmed with the draw’s launch, with 12 of the membership’s 13 common season house matches to be performed on the well-known Milton venue.
The Roar’s different match will probably be performed at Ballymore, at this stage on Saturday, March 16 in opposition to Macarthur FC.
Brisbane’s first house sport of the season takes place on Friday, October 27 in opposition to Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium.
Roar chief operations officer Zac Anderson stated: “It’s a beautiful marquee game. We’re coming home, back to Suncorp Stadium.”
Originally revealed as Western United with out a house floor for brand new A-League season
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
