Back home and rested, the globetrotting Western Sydney Wanderers are raring to go for next week’s do-or-die Asian Champions League semi-final clash with FC Seoul.
The Wanderers go into the second leg at Parramatta Stadium next Wednesday in the box seat after holding ACL runners up Seoul to a scoreless draw last week.
The trip to South Korea followed a difficult quarter-final encounter against the ACL champions Guangzhou Evergrande in China last month and a 10-day intense training camp in Dubai.
Having arrived from Seoul on Friday, hard task master Tony Popovic gave his jet-setting players three days off to recharge and says they’re now set to face the K-League side at home where victory will secure them a spot in the grand final of their maiden ACL campaign.
“Getting the boys back in today you can see they look well-rested and ready to go again,” Popovic said.
“It’s been a big three or four weeks with a lot of bigs games … and we’re very fortunate to be at the business end of an ACL campaign.
“Now we come back to Parramatta and we know what we need to do. We need to win the game.
“I’m sure we’ll improve again by that match and with the huge backing of our fans hopefully we can get to the final.”
Popovic will also get some fresh legs back by way of key strikers Tomi Juric and Brendon Santalab along with Shannon Cole, who all return from suspension.
Forward Mark Bridge says their addition will be a big boost to the squad.
“They’re important players and it’s always great to have a full selection of players,” he said.
“We’re feeling good and I’m sure training is going to be very intense this week to prepare.”
Josh
Guest
True, if another team made it this far I wouldn't be supporting them exactly, i'd be cheering for our little A League mixing it up with the big guns.
Josh
Guest
True, if another team made it this far I wouldn't be supporting them exactly, i'd be cheering for our little A League mixing it up with the big guns.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah I don't feel that all Aus football fans should be obliged to 'suppport' WSW in this tournament. It would be like me supporting CCM or SFC in the FFA Cup over the rest cos they're the closest team left. But in the same way that I won't be throwing my weight behind any non-NSW teams, it would be less than ideal to see Australians supporting Seoul over us. By the same token, no one should be criticised for hating WSW in the A-League but backing them all the way in the ACL.
langou
Roar Guru
"If WSW make the final – all aussie football fans will be rooting for the Wanderers." I wont be
JonJax
Guest
MS: " oh the looks on the other 9 clubs faces lol"- Actually, No . If WSW make the final - all aussie football fans will be rooting for the Wanderers. Just for one night " Ich bin ein Wanderer!"
AZ_RBB
Guest
I don't even want to think about it til we've actually made it. But now that you've posed the question, I'll happily play anywhere. Just making the final would be amazing. If I had to choose, it would be the Olympic Stadium. Would be amazing to have the ACL final there then the Asian Cup final there a few months later. Bring on October 1 at Wanderland.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Oh this is one for the ages ..just imagine when WSW pull it off and win through to the Final -- oh the looks on the other 9 clubs faces lol---- and then imagine if we ACTUALLY WIN THE WHOLE DAMN THING ----oh the looks on the 100's of clubs faces -and go through to da FIFA Club World Cup -oh the looks on the billions of faces -I'm dreaming but soon I'm going to wake up and it very well might be the same ;-)
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Maybe not in the box seat but slightly favoured to progress. Seoul have not scored a goal in over 300 minutes of ACL games lately. The first leg in Seoul was the first time that WSW haven't scored in an ACL game. Seoul might get one at Wanderland, but you'd think WSW will get at least 2, especially with Santa, Juric and Cole back in. You'd better start thinking about where to play the first leg of the final, because AFC aren't going to let you play at Pirtek Stadium again.
souwalker
Guest
I am a WSW supporter. I don't think box seat too. If 0-0 we go into extra time then penalties. FC Seoul goes through if 1-1 or 1-0.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I feel that it's evenly poised. Will be a huge occasion. Most of the stadium is sold out, except for the south end. Hope that fills up in the days leading up to kick off.
mattq
Guest
I've read everywhere that WSW are in the box seat but I don't agree with this at all. Sure nil all in Seoul was a good result (and better than losing of course) but all both teams need to do is win and a score draw will see FC Seoul through. Sure a home advantage should increase the odds of a WSW win but to say they're in the box seat because of this I'm not so sure. FC Seoul only need to score and it's game on.