Aloisi knows the value of Daniel Penha as he plots vengence against Victory

Western United boss John Aloisi wants to see Daniel Penha's form continue to the end of this season and beyond for Western United, as a revenge game against Melbourne Victory looms on Thursday.

It may initially come across as somewhat of an incredulous statement given their travails this season but an argument could be made that Western United are the form side of the A-League Men right now, while Daniel Penha, after sparking a furious come-from-behind win over Western Sydney, is perhaps the league’s form player. Coach John Aloisi, understandably, is hoping both agur good things, both this season and beyond. 

Falling behind in the 52nd minute, United roared back with three unanswered goals to defeat Western Sydney on the road last week, engineering a seven-goal turnaround on the 5-0 thumping they experienced in Parramatta in round two of the season. 

After entering the stretch with just two wins in their preceding 15 games, Aloisi’s side has now won three of their last five, a run of form that has brought them to within a point of escaping an A-League Men cellar they have occupied for three-quarters of the 20 rounds completed on the season so far.

In the non-wins in that slate, a 2-1 defeat against Melbourne Victory and a 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar, they led both fixtures after the 90 minutes only to be pegged back in added time – two goals from Damien Da Silva breaking their hearts against their local rivals and giving an added dimension of motivation for this Thursday’s re-match. 

"We felt that we could have won a lot more earlier on in the season,” said Aloisi. “We were playing well without getting the results but now the results are coming and the boys have got confidence. 

“We're seeing that now and not only in the performances on the weekend but also in training, the training intensity has lifted. The confidence is there and we just can't wait for the next game. 

“It's good that it's Victory because we felt that we were in the box seat to win that game. And then obviously we didn't. So there's a game where the boys want to win, I'm sure they want to get one over Victory over that one.”

With that late comeback against United representing their lone win in their last nine previous fixtures, Victory will head into Thursday evening’s clash after securing an important 2-1 win over Adelaide in sizzling conditions on Saturday evening. 

Needing to respond after a plodding 3-2 loss to Brisbane Roar the week prior, Bruno Fornaroli’s first goals since returning from Asian Cup duty ensured that Tony Popovic’s side took out the Original Rivalry and remained in third place on the table, six points back of table-topping Central Coast and Wellington. 

“The reaction after the Brisbane performance shows that the players not only have the belief, but they have the quality to produce in such difficult conditions,” said Popovic. “The rivalry against Adelaide is there for everyone to see, it's a special game, and we had to produce against a desperate team that needed to win to keep their final hopes alive. 

“So there was a lot on the line, and we're delighted with the performance. Now we've got to back that up, perform again, here at home, in front of our fans.”

After missing the win over the Reds, Adama Traore has been named in Victory’s squad but central midfield lynchpin Ryan Teague, who is scheduled to depart for Olyroos duty in the coming weeks, remains out. 

United, meanwhile, have escaped further injuries in their win over the Wanderers according to their coach, who is relishing having his starting backline of Ben Garrucio, James Donachie, Tomiki Imai, and Josh Risdon start together for the second straight week. 

Penha, meanwhile, will be seeking to back up one of the standout performances of the season, the Brazilian sandwiching assists on either side of a goal as he dragged his side over the top of the Wanderers. 

“We don't want to just rely on Pehna but we know how good he is,” said Aloisi. “If he keeps on playing like he is then you know we're better as a team. 

“Whether he's scoring goals, or setting up goals, if he keeps on playing like that we know that will create chances, whether he's the one that's gotten the final assist or the one just before that. So he's getting into so many good areas and his vision and his final ball are up there with the best in the league.”

Penha arrived in Tarneit on a one-year loan deal from Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro during the offseason, who are currently led by World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and who currently field the likes of Eduardo Vargas and Hulk. 

In his second stint in the A-League Men after spending the 2021-22 season at the Newcastle Jets, the 25-year-old entered the season still finding fitness after suffering an ACL rupture while with Korean side Daegu but has six goals to go along with those two assists so far this season, as well as being amongst the league leaders in expected assists and chance creation. 

And Aloisi is hoping that 2023-24 represents just a chapter in Penha’s time with United, rather than the whole story just yet. 

“We're talking about it but there's still quite a bit to get through,” explained the coach. “He's still got, I think it's at least a year with his club in Brazil. So you know whether we can get him outright or on loan, that's still in discussion. 

“We know that Daniel loves it here. He loves Australia. He loves our club because he enjoys playing football, the group of players, and the people around him; he loves being here. So we'll see what happens. But that's definitely something that we'll try and do.

“Daniel is still only 25. He can be the best player in the league. We've got no doubt about that. So we think it's a no-brainer, if the budget is right and the figures are right -- that's out of my hands a little bit because that's more with the chairman and the board. It's happened in the past where clubs have paid a little bit to sign a player but then they're able to resell them after. 

“He's one player that you'd like to keep in the league as long as possible but I'm sure that he will go on to bigger and better things after a few years of being in the A-League.”