Wanderers unconcerned about ACL opponents

Al-Hilal, who?

Western Sydney Wanderers might be preparing for the biggest match in their history, but they don’t appear overly concerned with familiarising themselves with their Saudi Arabian opposition for Saturday night’s first leg of the Asian Champions League final.

“I wouldn’t have a clue who they are to be honest,” said Wanderers’ defender, Antony Golec when asked about Al-Hilal.

“I’ll let them do the Googling on us.

“It doesn’t concern me if they’re the best club in the world or the worst … we just focus each day and then we’ll take the game as it comes.”

Al-Hilal are led by attacking stars Nasser Al-Shamrani and captain Yasser Al-Qahtani, both Saudi Arabia internationals, who will look to exploit the Wanderers’ suspect defence.

But asked about the pair by a Saudi television reporter, Golec said he didn’t know anything about them, and backed the Wanderers’ star power to stand up to the task.

“I don’t know, I haven’t watched them to be honest,” he said.

“I’m not sure if it’s something the coach is going to go over but we’ve got good players too so I’m sure someone is going to ask them questions about how they’re going to stop us.”

However, Golec insists Western Sydney will be showing Al-Hilal the respect they deserve in the anticipated sold-out clash at Parramatta Stadium, after all the Saudi heavyweights are six-time Asian Champions.

However, the Wanderers are reeling after two morale-sapping losses to open their A-League campaign and are determined to focus on their own game rather than allow themselves to become intimidated by the club ranked the best ever Asian team by FIFA.

The Wanderers have qualified for the past two A-League grand finals, losing both, but coach Tony Popovic and Golec are unequivocal in declaring the two-leg ACL final as the most significant event in the club’s brief but exciting history.

“Definitely. I think it will be the biggest in any club’s history to be honest,” said Golec.
“It’s a massive two games and we’ve worked so hard for it. It’s not just for the club but for the whole of Australia. It would be fantastic for us to hold it up.

“It’s probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. Adelaide are the first club to make it and hopefully we’re going to be the first club in Australia to win it.”

Popovic says the Wanderers have been doing behind the scenes work on Al-Hilal, with assistant Trevor Morgan travelling to Saudi Arabia last week to watch them in action.

“We know they’re a very strong team with a strong history,” he said.

“It’s what a final is. It’s supposed to be tough.”

Al-Hilal are nicknamed `the Blue Wave’ and have rolled into Sydney early to maximise preparations for Saturday night.

The Wanderers could be without striker Brendon Santalab who faces a race against the clock to prove his fitness, after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-2 loss to Sydney FC.

Western Sydney may rush back Socceroo Matthew Spiranovic into the starting side, as he makes strides in his return from ankle surgery.

Tomi Juric is also in contention to start following a pre-season groin injury.