Western Sydney have reached another milestone in the club’s short history, booking a spot in their second straight A-League grand final with a 2-0 victory over Central Coast.
Ending the Mariners’ hopes of a title defence, the Wanderers avenged last season’s grand final defeat to ensure they have another shot at claiming the title.
Having won the Premiers’ Plate and making the grand final in their inaugural season, the Wanderers booked their spot in the knockout phase of their first Asian Champions League campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory over Guizhou Renhe on Wednesday and now look unstoppable as they eye a maiden A-League championship.
They face the winner of the Brisbane Roar-Melbourne Victory clash in the decider on Sunday week.
A goal in each half from imports Youssouf Hersi and Iacopo La Rocca were enough to seal victory in front of close to 20,000 fans at Parramatta Stadium over a travel-weary Mariners.
Mariners coach Phil Moss made several changes from the side which played an ACL game in Japan mid-week and the move paid off in the opening stages.
The Mariners started strongly, showing no signs of fatigue, with Bernie Ibini and Mitchell Duke looking dangerous.
Ibini, who has scored his six goals this season from just 11 shots on target, went on a menacing goal-bound run and would have put the visitors in front if not for Adam D’Apuzzo making a crucial clearance.
But it wasn’t long before the Wanderers began to dominate, with keeper Ante Covic rarely troubled.
Playing five across the back every time Western Sydney were on the attack, the Mariners diffused several of the hosts’ forays into the front third, but couldn’t stop Hersi giving them the lead in the 31st minute.
Striker Mark Bridge had forced a diving save from Liam Reddy just moments earlier, the clearance falling only as far as the waiting Brendon Santalab whose cross found Hersi for the finish.
Reddy was kept busy in the opening half, saving a Nikolai Topor-Stanley header while Shinji Ono, in his last home game for the club, showed the fans what they’ll be missing, his superb free-kick also putting the gloveman to work.
Eying a record fifth grand final appearance, the Mariners emerged from the break desperate to equalise, with Duke stinging Reddy’s palms with a long-range effort.
But La Rocca doubled the hosts advantage, easily getting past the Mariners defence and Reddy, who was off his line, to slot home in the 81st minute.
Western Sydney Wanderers book their place in the grand final with a win over the Central Coast Mariners (Photo: Peter McAlpine)
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
I was pretty underwhelmed with BR today and maybe they were lucky to get to the final. I wouldn't underestimate WSW winning the GF next week in spectacular fashion - I'll be watching - free on SBS.
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
The FFA don't own WSW any more. The draws and dates for the ACL first round and the A-League finals were done nearly a year ago. Its unfortunate that CCM won the grand final last year and ended up in the ACL and then finished 3rd this year, beat AU and then had to play WSW this weekend. I can't imagine how the FFA could have organised it like that, even if they wanted to??
AZ_RBB
Guest
Good man. Will be a great day regardless of the result.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Be watching from either Woolwich Pier or North Annandale Pubs AZ and will be wearing da jersey throughout !!!!! :-)
AZ_RBB
Guest
See everyone in Brisbane on Sunday? :D
AZ_RBB
Guest
I'm assuming Mr Kellett is otherwise occupied at the moment so I'll answer for him. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/11/01/dont-give-the-a-league-grand-final-to-sydney/ - stadium has been booked for a Sydney derby final but I'm sure it'll be used for a WSW grand final. I wouldn't imagine much more than 5k WSW fans would travel up.
Stevo
Guest
Where did you hear that if it's a WSW v Victory GF then ANZ will be used Cameron? Was it someone on the bus who said it or a serious source? If a serious source kindly provide the source. If the final is in Brisbane how many WSW fans will travel up I wonder?
Melange
Guest
wow realfootball, you're doing your reputation no good by falling for stereotyped analysis. If anyone thinks WSW were light years ahead of CCM in any capacity last night they're kidding themselves. All CCM first 20, WSW start to get on top, score and then it becomes a WSW cynical foul-athon (which ultimately ended Mark Bridge's night). The only major difference between the 2 teams last night was the execution in the final 3rd (except for Hersi, I wouldn't give him a game next week based on that performance) with WSW being sharper and smarter. A few things: Do any keyboard selectors think that Bosnar should have ever played for the Socceroos now they've actually seen him play? What was the percentage of time D'Appuzzo actually played the ball? 15% being overly generous? Robbie Slater? Why? Why? Why? He was a hero of mine till someone gave him a microphone. Claiming the second goal was a fantastic strike is just one example of the turgid, dull commentary he serves up. La Rocca kicked it straight at Reddy and was lucky to nutmeg him! Josh Rose, great servant of the club, but had a forgettable one last night. Simon Hill put it out there that Ibini may be headed to WSW. I love watching guys like Ibini, seem to glide pass players at times. I hope he stays with CCM. WSW can take Simon, he's more suited to their game plan.
leon
Guest
Simple solution. Come second in future, and relish your week off.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Why do anymore than what's necessary? WSW have always employed a fairly utilitarian apparoach and it has served us well over the past 2 seasons.
Kareem Mohamed
Guest
Spot on
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I hope the Victory win against the Roar Fuss so we can meet your guys at ANZ , and then you can be free to be as underwhelmed as you like :-)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Was totally underwhelmed by WSW yesterday. Considering they were playing a team that had been in transit for 24 hours & only got back to Australia with 1 day to recover, WSW laboured to put CCM away. Neither Roar, nor MVFC would be concerned about meeting WSW next Sunday.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
WSW played in Parramatta on Tuesday night. CCM played in Hiroshima on Wednesday night. That's a massive advantage for WSW. Sure, MVFC played in Jeonju .. but we played on Tuesday night & we play our finals on Sunday - 2 full days more than CCM had for recovery.
striker
Guest
Stevo get over it wanderers would have beat the even if they played Monday.
j binnie
Guest
real - With all due respect to Slater & Co, Moss had a totally different plan at work last night all hinging on the discipline & application of his very experienced midfielder,Montgomery, The plan hinged on Moss's 2 very good attacking fullbacks Roux & Rose getting further forward than usual,the 2 centre backs widening their positions to cover & Montgomery 'sweeping" 'just in front of them.This is a very recognisable tactical formation that has been around for a while ,& when applied well speeds up transition from defence to attack & also helps to "widen' any defensive formation being played against them. & it wasn't so far away from working on more than a few occasions last night. My wife was in stitches at the commentatores talking up the 5 across the back set up when,as I pointed out to her, the fullbacks were hardly inside their own half with the centre backs & Montgomery some 20 metres behind them on the field. Actually CCM have the men to make this system work & work well,& given a close season to fine tune it they could again be a force to be reckoned wiith next season. jb
Bondy
Guest
I've wished C Kellett luck and you too Fuss for this arvo's clash. I feel it to be low scoring though and tense.
oly09
Roar Rookie
Umm Wanderers played mid-week too. So did Victory. What is your solution for this then? Playing the game on Monday night?! Wanderers used virtually a whole new team for their ACL campaign by signing players on short term deals, maybe CCM should have done that so they could compete on both fronts.
Stevo
Guest
The FFA must be congratulated for ensuring that the club they own made the Grand Final again. Particular praise must be given to damien de bohun for his contribution in ensuring that the mariners had no chance whatsoever in yesterday's match. What a disgrace. I can think of no other football league in the western world which is as poorly run as the a league.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Almost happy to carry the underdogs tag into the grand final. Going to wait and see what happens tonight before I say much more. Glad I can watch in comfort.