Lual Reaches 20 As Wanderers Continue Finals Charge

Western Sydney Wanderers FC secured a valuable 2-1 victory over UNSW FC at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday afternoon, with Awan Lual reaching a significant milestone before Giorgio Hassarati’s late winner sealed the three points.

The result keeps the Wanderers’ push for finals football alive, while UNSW FC produced a brave performance despite playing the majority of the second half with 10 players.

The visitors created the first opportunity of the contest from a set piece, with Jyden Harb standing over a free-kick but unable to find the target.

Western Sydney started the stronger of the two sides, with Pearson Kasawaya and Anderson Back both seeing efforts blocked by a determined UNSW defence.

The Wanderers continued to threaten, with Lual producing strong work to create an opening for Alaat Abdul-Rahman, forcing UNSW goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast into his first save of the afternoon.

UNSW began to settle into the contest and created their first major chance through some excellent attacking play, with Kevin Lopes heading over the crossbar.

Alexander Malfara was at the heart of UNSW’s best moments, driving forward and striking the left post with a powerful effort in the 21st minute.

The visitors finished the opening half strongly, with Harb finding space and firing an effort narrowly wide.

However, it was the Wanderers who found the breakthrough in the 40th minute.

The ball fell kindly to Lual inside the penalty area, and the striker made no mistake, calmly finishing to score his 20th goal of the season.

UNSW’s task became even more difficult in first-half stoppage time when Nathan Roberts was shown a straight red card following an incident inside the penalty area involving Kasawaya.

Despite being reduced to 10 players, UNSW showed tremendous character after the break.

Malfara continued to influence the contest, holding the ball up before setting up Harb, whose effort narrowly missed the right post.

The visitors continued to push for an equaliser, with Tattecin Kumcuz firing just wide after a slick one-touch attacking move.

The Wanderers thought they had doubled their advantage when Lual released Kasawaya, who produced a composed finish, only for the offside flag to deny the goal.

Young goalkeeper Samuel Goldberg then produced two crucial saves to preserve the Wanderers’ lead, first denying Campbell with a fingertip stop before tipping away a dangerous floated cross.

UNSW coach Gabriel Knowles’ changes paid off in the 67th minute, with Connor Quilligan producing a brilliant finish into the top corner to level the scores at 1-1.

The visitors continued to push for a remarkable comeback, causing problems from set pieces, but they were unable to find a second goal.

Instead, the Wanderers regained the lead in the 87th minute.

Substitute Rocco McNamara played a key role in a flowing attacking move, with Giorgio Hassaratti applying the finishing touch to make it 2-1.

UNSW pushed for one final chance in the closing stages, but the young Wanderers side held firm to secure a crucial three points.

Following the match, Western Sydney Wanderers FC coach Luca Andreacchio praised his team’s mentality and highlighted the performance of young goalkeeper Samuel Goldberg.

“It is very difficult to face a team who sits deep, but I’m proud of the side’s intent and fight to get the win tonight,” Andreacchio said.

“For Samuel Goldberg, he stepped up and I’m proud of him for remaining ready.

“We’re going to keep fighting week to week, and our next game is the most important.”

Match Stats

Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2 (Lual ’40 Hassarati ‘87)

UNSW FC 1 (C. Quilligan ’67)

Saturday 1 August 2026

Wanderers Football Park

Referee: Nathan Shakespear

Assistant Referees: Thomas Gellatly & Joshua Eiser

Fourth Official: Rory McFarlane

Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 3. Pearson Kasawaya (21. Rocco Macnamara ’75), 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Jesse Cameron, 6. Oscar Morrison, 7. Alaat Abdul-Rahman (23. Oscar Moore ’75), 9. Awan Lual, 10. Johnny Pavlovic (28. Giorgio Hassarati ’62), 12. Samuel Golberg, 17. Joshua Cetinic, 30. Anderson Back (24. Marko Radovancevic ’62), 31. Emile Katrib (33. Mustafa Abdellatif ’75)

Unused subs: 40. Ashton Crawford, 75. Marcus Savic

Yellow cards: Cameron ’76 Hassarati ‘90+3

Red cards: nil

UNSW FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Emilio Vinci (11. Jack Fulton ’88), 4. Liam Wood, 8. Tacettin Kumsuz (18. Connor Quilligan ’67), 9. Kevin Lopes (7. Thomas Quilligan ’62), 10. Nathan Roberts, 14. Lachlan Campbell, 15. Corby Fowler (19. Oliver Puflett ’88), 17. Jyden Harb, 20 Anthony Barbic, 21. Alexander Malfara (13. Sean Woods ’62)

Unused subs: 12. Cassius Flavell, 22. Gil Duffy

Yellow cards: Campbell ‘72

Red cards: Roberts ‘45+2

By Justin Davies