The Western Sydney Wanderers are champions of Asia for 2014, after holding Al Hilal to a scoreless draw in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday morning.
FINAL SCORE:
Al Hilal 0
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
The Western Sydney Wanderers produced a gutsy win last time out against Saudi Arabian super team Al Hilal and will take a one-goal advantage into the second leg of the Asian Champions League final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:30am (AEDT).
Tomi Juric produced a stunning 30 minutes of football to give the Wanderers a one-goal lead.
Ante Covic also put in a stellar display, making some crucial close-range saves late in the game and showing courage to rush out and cut the ball off inside the box.
Covic has kept a clean sheet in all home matches this ACL preparation. But being able to do it on the road matters now.
Al Hilal have the added incentive of $25,000 each if they win and in front of a home crowd they are going to be looking to cut the Wanderers defence open.
Thiago Neves was solid without being spectacular in the first leg which means he will be looking to fire here. It was Al Hilal’s slick movement that worried the Wanderers early last week but they just weren’t open to put one in the net.
You’d think if the Wanderers were to become the first Australian team to take the title out they will need to score at least once, as the one-goal margin seems a thin line to walk away from home.
I’ll be looking for Tomi Juric to have another big game. He could be the deciding factor like he has been for much of this ACL campaign.
I’m picking Wanderers to take it out but Al Hilal to win this one 2-1.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the Asian Champions League decider from 4:30am (AEDT).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Me Too
Guest
Well done WSW - rode their luck all the way to the final and then some. If there's a footballing God he wears Red and Black.
Domitian
Guest
Ante had his own personal disco.
david ghazaleh
Guest
Champions well done boys
punter
Guest
Well said Fuss!!! Huge respect Wanderers!!!!
bobbym
Guest
Wanderers 1 Lasers 0
AZ_RBB
Guest
:)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Congratulations, WSW. You've now raised the bar to a new level for Australian club football. Enjoy the celebrations.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
ASIA IS RED AND BLACK. WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO CHAMPIONS OF ASIA 2014
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Covic gets MVP plus cash to put on the slate at the bar :)
Whites
Guest
Someone's done a runner with the trophy.
jamesb
Guest
I know the J-League is far more superior and more established. I was just simply embellishing. But a great day for Australian football nevertheless.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Its official, the A-League is the best comp in Asia now surely. No the J-League still is by a mile. WSW achievement is not to be knocked but they played defensive football against superior opponents.
Mike Barton
Guest
I cannot believe how invollved I got in that! My pulse is pounding!! Well done WSW!!!!
jamesb
Guest
Congrats WSW, well done! Now forget about celebrating, just quickly run to your nearest border. Lol. Its official, the A-League is the best comp in Asia now surely. Anyone once again congrats to WSW. They didn't exist 30 months ago, now they are ACL winners.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Wanderers 0 - Al Hilal 0 But the Wanderers are the champions of Asia, Covic my man of the match he was simply incredible, Topor-Stanley incredible, Golec incredible. There are just no words to describe this they are literally the luckiest side in Asia right now! What a performance. I haven't slept so I'm going to bed, well done Wanderers incredible performance over two legs and it was a pleasure to bring it to you here on The Roar.
Whites
Guest
How sad.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Wanderers 0 - Al Hilal 0 Ante Covic Man of the match now tempers are flaring as Al Shamrani is pushing Spiranovic. This is ugly, trying to clear the players from each other, the fans in absolute disbelief, now this is ugly scenes. Al Shamrani you are a goose! Questionable whether the Japanese ref is going to make it to the airport, could've been four penalties to Al Hilal, Wanderers were dominated for much of the game. This is awkward scenes at the moment.
1860melbourne
Guest
Real Madrid here we come!
brisvegas
Guest
Brilliant! Well done Wanderers.
SlickAs
Guest
Amazing!