The Western Sydney Wanderers are just four games away from becoming Asian champions. I’m quietly confident that they can become the first Australian team to do so.
After a 2-1 loss to Guangzhou Evergrande that left the semi-final leg tied 2-2 on aggregate, the Wanderers booked their spot in the semi-finals having scored a crucial away goal through a brilliantly taken Tomi Juric penalty. The Western Sydney outfit are now just the second A-League team to to ever reach the semi-finals of the competition, following in the footsteps of Adelaide United.
This splendid run comes after just two years in existence and their first foray into the continental competition. Having made consecutive losing grand finals in the A-League, the Wanderers are in a position to claim their second trophy from a very unlikely source.
Yet to be crowned Australian champions, it would be truly remarkable to see them named Asian champions before taking out an A-League grand final. But I can see it happening.
Western Sydney now face FC Seoul in their semi-final tie with the first leg to be played in South Korea on September 13, opening the door for a passionate and exciting return leg to Pirtek Stadium on October 1. This favourable scheduling is itself a benefit for the Wanderers with the team backed by supporters that seem to have an undeniably buoying influence.
Against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, they managed to turn around a first leg 3-1 loss when the second leg, played at home, resulted in a 2-0 win. This game emphasised the influence of home ground advantage and the boost Wanderers supporters offer their team.
Outplayed in the first leg by the Japanese outfit, the Wanderers only managed a goal through a Juric penalty. They had it all to do in the second leg. But surrounded by their loyal fans, Western Sydney somehow managed to grab two second half goals and cement their place in the quarter-final, despite playing an arguably better side over the two games.
Therein the Wanderers have been gifted the same opportunity to redeem themselves if needed in their semi-final tie. Such redemption however, I believe won’t be needed as they face an FC Seoul side lucky to have made it to the semi-finals.
After a goalless quarter-final tie with the Pohang Steelers, Seoul only booked their place in the semi’s via a penalty shoot-out that saw Pohang somehow have all three of their penalties saved.
Domestically speaking FC Seoul are doing a bit better, but are still sitting seventh on the K-League ladder and I feel won’t threaten a Wanderers’ defence that proved remarkably resolute up against a world class Guangzhou side.
Despite this defensive confidence, the Wanderers will still need to themselves find the back of the net if they look to make it to the final. A task made all the more difficult following the controversial suspension of key striker Tomi Juric.
Juric will miss the first leg after making a ‘shushing’ gesture to the ground in the quarter-final second leg, meaning our hopes of an away goal are somewhat dampened with fellow strikers Santalab and Haliti not quite on the same level of Juric.
But with mastermind coach Tony Popovic at the helm of the side, I’m optimistic we’ll be able to survive and score in the first leg without Juric. Whether it be from the promising Saba or reliable Bridge, the Wanderers shouldn’t be playing for a 0-0 in the first leg as there are still plenty of goals in the side.
In preparation for the forthcoming season and semi-final tie, the Western Sydney Wanderers are off to Dubai for a training camp at the prestigious NAD Al Sheba Sports Complex, where a number of footballing giants have also spent their off-seasons. While in the region, the side will play two games against Middle-Eastern sides that should prove to be relevant challenge for the team.
With the two Middle-Eastern outfits Al Ain and Al Hilal battling it out for the other spot in the Asian Champions League final, this pre-season training camp should prove not only beneficial but relevant if the Wanderers make it.
Although just two games, the experience will give the Western Sydney side a taste of Middle-Eastern football well before what would be a monumental grand-final tie. The Wanderers have so far struggled on the big stage.
But before any such fantasising, the Western Sydney Wanderers must dispose of FC Seoul in their semi-final tie. A tie that although slightly in the Wanderers favour, should live up to the explosiveness and unpredictability experienced in their last encounter.
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