Western Sydney have opened their Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign in dismal fashion with a 4-0 group-stage shellacking by Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds.
Three days after their drought-breaking A-League Sydney derby win, a second-string Wanderers side copped two rapid-fire second-half goals from Japanese internationals Shinzo Koroki and Tadanari Lee.
Tomoaki Makino and Rafael then landed the killer blows at Campbelltown Stadium on Tuesday night to deliver the 2014 champions their heaviest ACL loss across three campaigns.
Coach Tony Popovic catered for a short three-day turnaround, along with this Saturday’s trip to Perth, with six changes to his starting XI, thrusting untested teenaged striker Abraham Majok into the mix.
It was a baptism of fire for the 18-year-old Kenyan-born South Sudanese, who led the line on club debut against one of Asia’s top teams just five months after last playing in the NPL 2 for Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
His offside goal aside, Majok battled to make a dent in the Reds, who deployed close to their strongest line-up but showed a lack of polish, expected of a team yet to start their domestic season.
Koroki and Yuki Muto tested Vedran Janjetovic early as the visitors’ menacing five-man attack probed in possession.
The hosts held firm as the excellent Kearyn Baccus opened up play, threading a ball into the area that Majok couldn’t get his boot to before he took Nico Martinez’s attempt in a marginally offside position.
But it all came undone 10 minutes after the break when an excellent play from Lee set up Koroki to tuck home.
Only two minutes passed before Koroki turned provider to Lee, who buried a left-foot shot in the bottom-right corner before Makino side-footed home from a set piece 10 minutes later.
If that left the result in no doubt, it only became worse for the Wanderers when Rafael beat Janjetovic at his near post.
A small crowd of 5590 turned out for the mid-week fixture, including a strong contingent of Reds fans who at times outsang the Red and Black Bloc.
One Reds fan was taken away by paramedics after appearing to fall very ill suddenly in the first half.
“What happened, which is quite simple – you get punished for mistakes,” Popovic said.
“That’s the reality and that’s a harsh lesson.
“The game opened up quickly once we conceded two goals in a short space of time.”
Urawa coach Mihailo Petrovic felt the scoreline did not accurately reflect the contest.
“I really respect head coach Mr Popovic and I have sympathy with him,” Petrovic said.
“Today it’s unlucky for him, but I hope to get a great game in the next match.”
The Wanderers head to China next week to take on Shanghai SIPG.
j binnie
Guest
Nemesis - You have an unnatural talent in getting into slanging debate, a talent that greatly demeans much of the good stuff you care to offer.. As you know I watch most Roar games and to me the odds were stacked against them the other night inasmuch they had key players missing through injury or suspension plus the fact the coach is heavily into "re-cycling" his players due to a busy schedule ,not a thing I always believe in for, not knowing what the opposition will do, IMO you should always start with what you regard as your strongest available players on the night and then ,if results go your way, "rest " your "stars" by using substitutes. Roar also have a problem with scoring goals,a fault that their goals for column backs up,so it was no surprise to get a 0-0 result in this or any other match they play. How did they play? That is the important factor. Well the opposition didn't score so the defence did it's job,makeshift as it was in manpower. Midfield more than held their own,especially when Broich and Caletti were introduced,and up front we got much of the same,lack of finishing still evident. So we go to the opposition In all 3 Asian Cup contests. Individually each player witnessed in the 3 teams probably outplayed their immediate opponents in the basic skills of the game,their first touch and fast accurate movement of the ball to positions taken up by willing team -mates were all superior to our lads ,especially our "home grown" players. The Fox Sports pundits finally admitted this last night and all I can say is that it has taken them a long time to recognise the obvious. cheers jb
Nemesis
Guest
Sounds exactly what I'd expect from a peeved fan whose team has choked, yet again in the ACL Group Stage at home. I actually said: I’d expected Brisbane to be the ALeague club to give the ACL a real shake this year. Hence, I was shocked. The "embarrassing" comment referred to Brisbane never having won a single Group ACL match at home. But, keep pretending last night was a good result. I'm sure Aloisi & the Roar players treat it as it was - 2 points dropped against the least fancied of the 3 opponents.
Nemesis
Guest
If I annoy you this much, I'll post regularly whenever Brisbane doesn't win in the ACL - which should be 5 more times in 2017. Have a nice day.
Chopper
Guest
Obviously Nemesis with no Victorian team in the ACL you have no real interest which is highlighted by the fact you commented without even seeing the game. Maybe you should better inform yourself or just shut up.
AZ_RBB
Guest
How Brendan Hamill continues to make money as a professional footballer is a mystery to me.
Cameron
Roar Guru
To further enhance my point, although who knows how you'll take this, I'm only one of a few who commit to investing their time to providing coverage of the ACL on a regular basis. I run a Facebook page called A-League: Asian Champions League which has been setup for a number of years. It's focus is predominantly A-League related, but nonetheless, I'm committed to vesting more of my time into this competition than many others.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I'll allow you to make up your own mind as to how people are able to watch matches FoxSports do not broadcast. I'll just let you know there are other alternatives. Not hard to find. You'll also find Muangthong are active enough via social media and Internet sources such as YouTube that any person interested could watch enough to gain some sort of educated opinion regarding football matters and playing style. I am more inclined to follow the teams A-League teams will face throughout the group stage. Teams from south Korea, China, Japan etc. It's the other side of the draw I'm rather limited to and due to time and other interests, I do not have the ability to provide such an educated view on all teams that participate in the ACL. I'm referring to teams from Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia etc.
Waz
Guest
A "real football fan" wouldn't think to say an Australian side should be embarrassed by a draw with the champions of Thailand because they'd have an appreciation for the quality in Thai football, they might also have an appreciation for the athleticism of the Thais who's national sport is kick boxing, you might also have respect for the number of international players they have, or an appreciation of their marquee striker who played his trade in La Liga and with Newcastle United, a real football fan would respect the tactics they deployed on the night in a solid 4-1-4-1 formation sitting deep with a defensive press and swift counter attack. A real football fan would appreciate the football world and not be "embarrassed" by playing out a draw with a team just because they come from a certain country, why that's almost racist isn't it? A real football fan might also appreciate the home team has played 6 games in 22 days, has just flown an average of 1,500km/day for three weeks, has an injury list that includes several of their first team players including their captain out with a broken nose, a real football fan might appreciate the quality of the youngsters on show from the home team? I actually think a football fan would respect an opponent, not be embarrassed just because they're "not Australian". The more you post, the more you sound like an AFL stooge who's only job is to find a negative aspect of everything ... how's that for detail?
Nemesis
Guest
"Funnily enough I have Nemesis. I’m actually rather fond of the ACL and watch regularly" How do you watch, Cameron? Via illegal pirate streaming? As far as I know, Foxtel doesn't broadcast any ACL matches without ALeague teams and I don't recall this Thai club ever playing ACL against any HAL opponent in previous yrs other than that 1 Victory play off match.
Nemesis
Guest
"Brisbane is yet to win a home match in ACL Group football after 7 attempts" I don't know what job you do, but attention to detail is critical for most jobs.
Waz
Guest
Lol ask shanghai about Roars ACL record, and yes we have won a home ACL game, it was the one before this lol. You really should watch more football before commenting.
punter
Guest
I agree Cameron, the wife went out & I manage to catch both games last night & thought Urawa was an outstanding team, they should go a long way both domestically & locally. I thought the BR against the Thai side was ened to end & exciting, 2 very good teams. People not watching these ACL games are missing out on good football. Not sure what it is, maybe because it's Asian & we don't rate it.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Funnily enough I have Nemesis. I'm actually rather fond of the ACL and watch regularly. I've even previously written for TheRoar indicating my interest in the competition and how many more should watch.
punter
Guest
Nemesis, do yourself a favour, be quiet & watch a reply & then you can comment. I thought the game between Brisbane Roar & Muangthong United was exciting, they have some very gifted players.
Nemesis
Guest
Have you watched them more than once? If you haven't, what the heck are you on about?
Cameron
Roar Guru
Nice, you watched them once, didn't watch the match last night and no doubt would disregard any other factors... Shocking result. I really shouldn't be bothered to go to any more matches. The easiest is out of the way and I'd better not waste my money in seeing more performances that result in us losing.
Sydneysider
Guest
I reckon Poppa is going to leave and coach in China. I expect it to happen once the A-League (and the Wanderers ACL commitments) is over. It's only a matter of time for him. The Wanderers need a new manager with new ideas and a fresh start.
Ian
Guest
On name, based on their origin, yes we'd probably think it was easier compared to teams named Osaka. However the Thai team were very quick, and the game was a fast one IMO. They turned up to play and overall it was a decent match. I enjoyed it. The ACL record may not be that impressive but not handling Asian football is a stretch considering we towelled up Shanghai last week in Shanghai with the most expensive player in the world. You even enjoyed that game.
Nemesis
Guest
Watched them on TV a few years ago when they played MVFC in an ACL playoff. Victory won 2-1 in Geelong. They were very decent team but nothing compared to the quality Victory faced in the Group stage after that win.
Cameron
Roar Guru
"I didn't watch the match..." enough said. How many times have you watched, studied up etc. on Muangthong United?