Western United train at North Hobart Oval prior to Saturday's game

Photo:  Penalty practice at North Hobart Oval today. [PlessPix] 

Western United conducted a light training session at North Hobart Oval this afternoon after arriving in Hobart at lunch time.

They will play an A-League match against Western Sydney Wanderers at North Hobart tomorrow at 5pm.

Dozens of youngsters watched the session and obtained player autographs later.

Photo:  Western United's Ben Garuccio has also played for Melbourne City, Adelaide United and Heart of Midlothian. [PlessPix] 

Western United’s 28-year-old defender, Ben Garuccio, will play at this venue for the first time as he missed last season’s game against Sydney FC.

He was impressed with the venue and is looking forward to tomorrow’s game.

“Yeah, it’s [the venue] beautiful,” Garuccio said.

“The pitch is really good.  It was nice and wet. They watered it before the session, the ball was moving well.  So looking forward to tomorrow.”

Western United are last on the A-League standings while Western Sydney Wanderers are third, but Garuccio is not fazed.

“I see it as every game is winnable in this league, especially this year with how tight the competition is, so there’s no reason why we can’t get three points.” Garuccio said.

Garuccio has played overseas, including with Scottish club Heart of Midlothian.

This has enabled him to make a comparison of overseas football and the A-League.

“I think the A-League’s very good,” he said.

“Probably the most disappointing part is the way the following has sort of gone a little bit downhill in recent years.

“I’m a massive advocate for the league.  I can’t see why it’s not supported like it is overseas in European countries.  I think A-League’s really, really good quality.”

The lack of promotion and relegation in the A-League is unusual in terms of world football generally and Aussies abroad find overseas leagues are more cut-throat than at home.

“I think the competitive nature that maybe us Aussies aren’t accustomed to with the way the league is set up here with no promotion or relegation.” Garuccio said.

“I think really seeing that ruthlessness of fans over there;  they won’t accept you being at the bottom of the table, which is something that probably a lot of Aussies actually struggle with.

“I definitely struggled with it, I’m not afraid to say, and I think a lot of Aussies do.  And that’s why we see a lot of them coming back.

“We’re not accustomed to that here, [and] we’re not used to it.

“And then when you go over, it’s sometimes a big shock.

“There’s a lot more pressure on the line when you’re playing for a big club [because] you may be on the verge of getting relegated.”

Photo:  Coach John Aloisi (left) with his coaching staff. [PlessPix] 

Garuccio supports Tasmania having an A-League team.

“I think as much growth for this league is going to be better,” he said.

“I would love to see a league one day with 20 teams and you’re playing 38 games a season like overseas.

“For me, we need more games.  It used to be a 27-game league, now it’s a 26-game league.

“I don’t really understand with more teams in the league how there can be less games.

“I would like to play more games and have it a little bit more traditional.  So I’m open [to Tasmania having a team].”

Photo:  Players signing autographs for youngsters after the training session. [PlessPix]

 

Photo:  John Aloisi signs a football for a young fan. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Defender Tomoki Imai, 33, signing autographs. [PlessPix]