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WHEN Mateo Poljak arrived in Sydney barely a year ago to play for the Western Sydney Wanderers, he wouldnt have known what to expect.
The Croatian midfielder, a product of the Dinamo Zagreb youth system, had never lived away from his parents, but he bought into Tony Popovic’s vision for the A-League’s fledgling club.
Sydney now means so much to him now that the 24-year-old has unfinished business at the Wanderers after committing to the club for another two years.
“Winning the grand final is something that everybody would like to do,” Poljak told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I would say we have an unfinished job in the grand final.
“The biggest thing is that from day one we’ve been all together. Last season everyone was coming at different times because everything was new — new team, new players. This year everyone came first day and because of that everything was planned better.”
The Wanderers’ long preseason has included a valuable two-week, three-game tour of Asia. There are still three weeks to go before the new season begins on October 11 and Poljak says the players are looking forward to the opening day’s grand final rematch against the Central Coast.
“I think we’ve had a really good preseason of training,” Poljak said.
“The trip to Asia was a good experience, more than just experience, it was good for everything. We played different games and now we are all looking forward to the season already.
“I think me personally and we as a team will grow from game to game.
“That’s the staff’s plan, to be in form for a long time.”
The bulk of the squad remains the same as last season, but Popovic has brought in some new faces for the club’s second season and Poljak says they are fitting in perfectly.
“I’m sure they will add something more to our team and I think they’ll be a big plus for us this year,” he said.
Poljak loves his life in Sydney, which he says was a major reason for his decision to remain at the Wanderers.
But the fans of the Red and Black also played their part in him making his call. “There are more than 15,000 members, it’s an amazing number,” Poljak said.
“That atmosphere from the first game we played in Parramatta was unbelievable.
“From game to game, even on away trips, they were beautiful and definitely they give us some new energy.
“We are happy with them compared to other teams and I think it helps us a lot.”
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The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have gone down to Melbourne Victory 3-0 in their final pre-season match against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Played at Kingston Twin Ovals in Tasmania, the score line was flattering towards the hosts with a first minute goal and an unfortunate own goal contributing to a result that was not representative of the performance.
Mitch Nichols opened the scoring for Victory in under twenty seconds when he got on the end of an attempted Wanderers clearance to poke the ball into the net.
The match turned into an even contest with limited chances for either side until Kosta Barbarouses made it 2-0 midway through the half.
Not worried by the early setbacks the Wanderers finished the half as the stronger team with Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe forced into a number of saves.
The introduction of Aaron Mooy was key early in the second stanza as the attacking midfielder turned the match Wanderers way.
With the red and black dominating it looked to be only a matter of time before the margin was halved and when Ono came close with a run and shot Victory were looking shaky.
Unfortunately for Tony Popovic’s charges the comeback wasn’t to be as an unfortunate own goal against the run of play put Victory three goals ahead.
Even with the contest seemingly over, the Wanderers continued to put Melbourne on the back foot with only some last ditch defending and a matter of millimetres keeping the ball out of the Victory net time and again.
Mooy came closest late in the match with a free kick that floated agonisingly wide.
The Wanderers complete their preparation for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season next week when they take on Bankstown City Lions at Jensen Park, Bankstown. Tickets are available at the gate.
Melbourne Victory 3 (Nichols 1’ Barbarouses 27’ Covic (OG) 76’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
29 September, 2013
Kingston Twin Ovals
WHEN Mateo Poljak arrived in Sydney barely a year ago to play for the Western Sydney Wanderers, he wouldnt have known what to expect.
The Croatian midfielder, a product of the Dinamo Zagreb youth system, had never lived away from his parents, but he bought into Tony Popovic’s vision for the A-League’s fledgling club.
Sydney now means so much to him now that the 24-year-old has unfinished business at the Wanderers after committing to the club for another two years.
“Winning the grand final is something that everybody would like to do,” Poljak told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I would say we have an unfinished job in the grand final.
“The biggest thing is that from day one we’ve been all together. Last season everyone was coming at different times because everything was new — new team, new players. This year everyone came first day and because of that everything was planned better.”
The Wanderers’ long preseason has included a valuable two-week, three-game tour of Asia. There are still three weeks to go before the new season begins on October 11 and Poljak says the players are looking forward to the opening day’s grand final rematch against the Central Coast.
“I think we’ve had a really good preseason of training,” Poljak said.
“The trip to Asia was a good experience, more than just experience, it was good for everything. We played different games and now we are all looking forward to the season already.
“I think me personally and we as a team will grow from game to game.
“That’s the staff’s plan, to be in form for a long time.”
The bulk of the squad remains the same as last season, but Popovic has brought in some new faces for the club’s second season and Poljak says they are fitting in perfectly.
“I’m sure they will add something more to our team and I think they’ll be a big plus for us this year,” he said.
Poljak loves his life in Sydney, which he says was a major reason for his decision to remain at the Wanderers.
But the fans of the Red and Black also played their part in him making his call. “There are more than 15,000 members, it’s an amazing number,” Poljak said.
“That atmosphere from the first game we played in Parramatta was unbelievable.
“From game to game, even on away trips, they were beautiful and definitely they give us some new energy.
“We are happy with them compared to other teams and I think it helps us a lot.”
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\
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have gone down to Melbourne Victory 3-0 in their final pre-season match against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Played at Kingston Twin Ovals in Tasmania, the score line was flattering towards the hosts with a first minute goal and an unfortunate own goal contributing to a result that was not representative of the performance.
Mitch Nichols opened the scoring for Victory in under twenty seconds when he got on the end of an attempted Wanderers clearance to poke the ball into the net.
The match turned into an even contest with limited chances for either side until Kosta Barbarouses made it 2-0 midway through the half.
Not worried by the early setbacks the Wanderers finished the half as the stronger team with Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe forced into a number of saves.
The introduction of Aaron Mooy was key early in the second stanza as the attacking midfielder turned the match Wanderers way.
With the red and black dominating it looked to be only a matter of time before the margin was halved and when Ono came close with a run and shot Victory were looking shaky.
Unfortunately for Tony Popovic’s charges the comeback wasn’t to be as an unfortunate own goal against the run of play put Victory three goals ahead.
Even with the contest seemingly over, the Wanderers continued to put Melbourne on the back foot with only some last ditch defending and a matter of millimetres keeping the ball out of the Victory net time and again.
Mooy came closest late in the match with a free kick that floated agonisingly wide.
The Wanderers complete their preparation for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season next week when they take on Bankstown City Lions at Jensen Park, Bankstown. Tickets are available at the gate.
Melbourne Victory 3 (Nichols 1’ Barbarouses 27’ Covic (OG) 76’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
29 September, 2013
Kingston Twin Ovals
