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The Western Sydney Wanderers play their final Asian Champions League group stage match against Chinese side, Guizhou Renhe tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:00pm (AEST).
This final match day of ACL Group H action presents an opportunity for the Wanderers to progress into the knockout stages. If the Wanderers can get a home win tonight they will definitely progress from first place in the group.
They come in first place, level on points (9) with Kawasaki Frontale, who they beat by a goal at home and lost by a goal away. The goal difference – currently a goal in the Wanderers favour – is the in play tie breaker.
Wanderers only need a draw to secure progression from the group.
Kawasaki host Ulsan Hyundai in the other group match.
If the Wanderers succumb to Guizhou they will rely on the result being a draw or a Frontale win to secure progression.
The visitors come into the match having won in their home league on the weekend, breaking a three match losing streak. They have five points in the group and will be playing for pride tonight as much as anything.
This tension presents an interesting puzzle for Wanderers coach, Tony Popovic to solve. He will want to ensure progression and winning the group will be his aim, but the upcoming A-League knockout match against Central Coast will also be on his mind.
Getting performances from lineups of limited experience or game time has been a boon for Popovic and he may need to rely on that again tonight in order to have the team turn around for a strong performance on Saturday – a rematch of last year’s grand final.
While the team and their fans won’t want to get too far ahead of themselves there will be an air of celebration around the ground tonight. The Wanderers are in the box seat to progress, they could win their group and reach the knockout rounds of the ACL in their first try.
Put in the context of winning the championship last year, making a grand final and then backing up with a second in the premiership this year, is a truly remarkable achievement for a club that didn’t exist just two years ago.
Don’t forget to join us here at 8:00pm (AEST) for commentary of the tension, and possibly celebration, as well as live scores and a place to have your own say.
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