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The Western Sydney Wanderers have advanced past last years Asian Champions after losing 2-1 in Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande.
Western Sydney were under the pump for large parts of the second half, after holding their own in the first period. La Rocca felled Elkeson in the box in the 33rd minute, conceding a penalty, but Covic stood tall to foil the Brasilian from the spot.
The second half looked like it would be tough for the Wanderers to hold on, but their textbook counter attacking play proved effective. Bridge was put through on goal in the 58th minute and Evergrande keeper Zeng took him out. Tommy Juric stepped up to coolly convert the penalty to give the Wanderers the lead.
Yet minutes later Evergrande were level, after some poor defending allowed Diamanti to smash home. After that it was all Guangzhou, and WSW were desperately holding on. They did so until injury time, when Elkeson converted from close range, setting up a tense final countdown.
The Wanderers managed to keep the scores at 2-1 however, and are through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule. It wasn’t a pretty performance, and there was some good fortune involved, but it was an amazing result. A very impressive first foray into the Asian Champions League for the club.
Can they go all the way? With this commitment and determination, anything is possible, especially with Popovic at the helm. The Wanderers’ first leg against FC Seoul will be on September 17, with the second leg scheduled for October 1.
FINAL SCORE:
Guangzhou 2
Western Sydney 1
The Western Sydney Wanderers travel to China on Wednesday for the second leg of their Asian Champions League quarter final against Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:00pm (AEST).
Coming off a fantastic 1-0 victory over Evergrande in the first leg of this tie, the Wanderers will face a much sterner test in the return match. While Tony Popovic’s side played with a lot of grit and determination in front of 17,000 at Pirtek Stadium last week, it will be a completely different atmosphere in Guangzhou.
Evergrande are the defending ACL champions, are led by the World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, and boast an inflated wage bill that includes the likes of Alberto Gilardino and Alessandro Diamanti. Plus, they will be out for revenge after the closing minutes of the match in Sydney turned into a circus.
The first leg had everything, from accusations of simulation, alleged violence and an on-field tirade from Lippi. It was a chaotic finish to the match, which threatened to take a glisten off the Wanderers’ achievement.
The two red cards that Emirati referee Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed dished out were debatable, and the antics of Vitor Saba in particular were lamentable, but Lippi’s histrionics were a gross overreaction, and received worldwide attention.
The Italian coach was slapped with a one-match suspension, and how his vacant seat in the dugout for the return leg affects his players will be interesting. The red cards also mean Zhang Linpeng and Goa Lin, who both started in the fiery match, will also be missing, along with Kim Young-gwon, who had accumulated too many yellows.
Despite that, Western Sydney are up against it in China. Evergrande have won the Chinese Super League for the past three years and are on target for their fourth this season. Their ambitions to become a powerhouse in Asia has seen them fork out astronomical transfer fees and wages for Gilardino ($7m per season) and Diamanti ($4m). The Wanderers’ squad is restricted by the A-League’s $2.55 million salary cap.
They will also likely pack out their stadium, with 60,000 fans expected to be baying for Wanderers’ blood. As well as their Italian duo, Evergrande will rely on captain Zheng Zhi, who was suspended in the first leg. The veteran midfielder could play in defence, with Linpeng and Kim’s absence decimating the back line.
The Wanderers will be missing Daniel Mullen due to a hamstring strain, with Daniel Alessi his likely replacement.
This is easily one of the Wanderers’ biggest games in their short history. If they can sneak past Evergrande then a semi-final tie against either Pohang Steelers or FC Seoul awaits. But it’s a big ask for Popovic to mastermind another victory. An away goal here is key, and entirely possible with Evergrande’s defence weakened. That would give the Wanderers a sufficient buffer to let them sit back and utilise their resolute defending and fast-paced counter attacks.
It’s going to be a feisty encounter, and Western Sydney will face a volatile crowd at Tianhe Stadium.
Join The Roar from 10:00pm Wednesday for all the live action.
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