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.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Well..wow.....not a bad night to be a Wanderer. Standard early ACL goal allowed us to just grind away for the next hour or so. Probably wasn't the most exciting stuff but it was good to see some of our second string players move the ball around the pitch with confidence. Very few defence lapses thankfully and then once the big guns came on, they made it rain goals. I will remember that Ono strike for many years to come. Glad that's out of the way. Now onto Saturday night. Dear Mariners, please roll over for us. Also, please make sure you come second in your ACL group so neither of us have to travel for the Round of 16. Deal?
ciudadmarron
Guest
Not that it matters because ofvthis result but Kawasaki won 3-1 in their match against Ulsan. They are through as well
jamesb
Guest
5-0 to WSW Fair dinkum Did the Guizhou Renhe coach take tips from David Moyes?
Elisha Pearce
Expert
We've learned alot. We limit opportunities to be punished. We control the game more. A good confidence booster befoee the weekend? I alwaus said O felt the goals coming. Its always good to score goals. 3 under pressure then 2 aqay and 5 now.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Wha t do you think about them only bringing 14? Thats a credit to us. We were top of the group and they couldnt make it. The main thing for us was to get through. We finish top of the group. Now we loom forward to whoever we play, home and away. To win 4 put of 5 wasnt easy. The wjole squad was involved.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
After scoring the second goal we moved the ball quickly and it could have been anything. In the end it was a pro performance. 5 goals in Asia.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
In the middle we had the ball b
Elisha Pearce
Expert
A great result for this club. Lost our first game at home tjen turned it around.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Wanderers coach Tony Popovic up now...
Elisha Pearce
Expert
The third substitute was injured. And we didnt have a goal keeper who wasnt injured to go on bench.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Today we use our young players - we must give them opportunity. Any player who can play in super lwague can play in champions league. It is a good opportunity. We tried our best.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Why did you only had 2 substitutes? In 15 days we have 5 games. We are under pressure in our super league. It is difficult. We dont have enough players. We think carefully to put them in. We dont have enough players with pressure in two areas. In regulations the total is 38 players. We bring 14. There are other players with injuries to need to play in 3 days.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
The appearance was good for our young players. Hopw they learn from mistake and go back to super league and impress.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Guizhou coach first - What did you learn? Before the game we knew it was first time for many players in professional league. We were nervous. Aftee that ww stand by our players for energy and confidence. The problem was the last 15mins we werent physically ready. We only had 2 sessions to prepare physically and tactically. We only had 2 players for substitute.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
All three Aussie sides with a chance to progress in this year's competition this week - one has booked their ticket. Could be a big week for Aussie football on the Asian stage.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
2 wins away and 2 wins at home in this ACL group stage for the Wanderers.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
WTF!! Unbelievable. OK Victory, your turn now :)
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Jason Trifiro is named man of the match. Deserved, he was taking the ball off the opposition all over the place. Has grown into his holding midfield role as the season progressed as well.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I thought 5-0 in a Champions League match was Real Madrid vs a poor Belgian squad-type stuff.
Bondy
Guest
Wanderers are into the Rd of 16. Mlb Vic's match on a knifes edge currently.