Came as it did in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of a Jed Drew-inspired Macarthur, Western Sydney star Juan Mata is hopeful his first A-League Men goal will lead to bigger and better things.
Making his first start for the Wanderers since November 2, Mata was picked out in the penalty area by Josh Brillante in the 23rd minute of the New Year’s Day clash at CommBank Stadium and made it 1-1 with a deftly placed shot.
Instantly becoming one of the league’s biggest-ever signings when he arrived ahead of the season, the former World Cup winner’s acquisition generated discussion and controversy when he was benched by coach Alen Stajcic in seven straight games leading into Wednesday.
“Every player wants to play,” Mata told Paramount+ when asked whether he was frustrated at not playing.
“But I'm trying to help when I don't play as well … I focus on controlling what I can control, which is my attitude, my will to play and my professionalism.
“And I'm trying to do that the best I can.”
Mata’s first goal in the red and black cancelled out Drew’s 13th-minute opener for the Bulls, the 21-year-old firing a deflected cross into the net.
Another Macarthur young gun in Ariath Piol then restored the Bulls’ lead two minutes after Mata's effort when he galloped past Alex Bonetig and blasted into the roof of the net.
Drew grabbed a second and made it 3-1 moments before half-time when he turned marker Jack Clisby before blasting an effort into the top corner, bringing up his second brace in as many games with one of the great A-League goals.
“I feel like I've been building all season,” Drew told Paramount+.
“When things are going your way, I just start to try a few things and when stuff like that comes off, it's unreal.”
With the suspended Stajcic watching from the stands, the Wanderers were reduced to 10 in the 53rd minute when referee Casey Reibelt, leading the first-ever all-female referee unit to take charge of a professional men’s match in Australia, sent Dean Pelekanos off after a VAR review.
Anthony Pantazopoulos did make it 3-2 minutes moments later but the desperate hosts couldn’t find a leveller to prevent the Bulls from making it six games unbeaten and going second on the table.
“I'm proud of these boys, proud of the effort,” coach Mile Sterjovski told Paramount+.
“This team is a good team, we just need to be consistent.”
