Western Sydney Wanderers

A recap for all WSW fans and alike - DT

WESTERN Sydney Wanderers have ascended to Asian club football’s highest summit - just 910 days after they were formed and 725 days after their first official game.

The 68th competitive game in the club’s history propelled them past Korean giants FC Seoul and into the AFC Champions League final, where they will face-off with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal and the prize of a possible clash with Real Madrid.

WANDERERS THREE GAMES AWAY FROM POTENTIAL REAL CLASH

Western Sydney’s record across the Champions League, FFA Cup and A-League stands at a remarkable 37 wins, 12 draws and 19 losses.

The Wanderers’ rise has been in equal parts rapid and extraordinary. Now, a club that didn’t exist three seasons ago stands on the cusp of being the best in the entire continent.

We look at the club’s fifteen defining moments.
\
\
\
THE WANDERERS ARE BORN – 910 days ago

The A-League had shed two teams, North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United, in as many seasons entering 2012-13\. The FFA needed a winner. It came when former prime minister Julia Gillard joined then-Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley on April 4, 2012 to announce the formation of a new franchise in Sydney’s west. The Gillard government pledged $8 million funding for football development in western Sydney.

“We intend to build a model that will be driven by the passion of the football people in Sydney’s west,” Buckley said.

TONY POPOVIC RECRUITED – 867 days ago

The Wanderers mightn’t have had a name, a home ground or official club colours, but they knew from the outset who they wanted to lead the club. Popovic was highly thought of during his time as assistant coach at Crystal Palace, but decided to chance his arm on the fledgling western Sydney club on May 17, 2012\. Players responded immediately to his authoritarian style and hard-nosed approach to training. Despite many players barely knowing each other when the season kicked off, the Wanderers immediately looked a well drilled, cohesive unit. Lyall Gorman was named founding CEO.
\
\
A NAME, A STRIP, A LOGO - 828 days ago

After a series of roadshows across western Sydney, during which prospective fans were asked their opinion on everything ranging from the club’s name to its playing style, the Wanderers were formally unveiled on June 25, 2012.
\
\
The name was an acknowledgement of Australia’s first registered team, who played in western Sydney in the 1880s. The club’s new uniform was paraded by their first three official signings Aaron Mooy, Tarek Elrich and Kwabena Appiah.
\
\
RED AND BLACK BLOC FORMED - 809 days ago

At the second official fan meeting on July 14, 2012, the name “Red and Black Bloc” was agreed upon. Their numbers swelled with each pre-season game and by the time the A-League season started, their songbook was bursting and their timing immaculate.

Led by Boris, a megaphone-wielding capo with vocal chords made of pure tungsten, the RBB ensured The Poznan, “Who do you sing for?” and other chants became staples across A-League venues across the country. Parramatta Stadium quickly assumed fortress status.

SHINJI ONO SIGNS UP - 730 days ago

To say the Wanderers cut it fine was an understatement. Less than a week before their first A-League game, the most frantic recruitment drive in modern Australia sport netted a true star of Asian football when Shinji Ono touched down in Sydney on October 1, 2012.

Ono, a star with the Blue Samurai and the 2002 Asian player of the year, brought the attacking flair sorely needed by Popovic and the marketability desired by Gorman. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s most popular marquees with his deft touches delighting fans nationwide.

A GRITTY DEBUT – 725 days ago

It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. The Wanderers held the classy Central Coast Mariners to a scoreless draw in their first ever competitive game on October 6, 2012\. Popovic’s influence was obvious from the outset, with the Wanderers’ displaying impressive physical fitness and discipline in defence. Little did anyone know that these very two teams would lock horns in the grand final six months later.
\
\
FIRST VICTORY OVER THE ROAR - 704 days ago

It took four rounds, but the Wanderers finally claimed their first goal and their first victory. Mark Bridge’s 19th minute effort was enough for Western Sydney to emerge 1-0 victors over the defending champions Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium. The Wanderers had lost to Adelaide and Sydney - the latter a memorable first Sydney derby decided by an Alessandro Del Piero goal - in the previous fortnight, but bounced back strongly on October 27, 2012 to make their first impression on the scoreboard.
\
\
SYDNEY DERBY IGNITES - 654 days ago

The first Sydney derby attracted more than 19,000 spectators to Parramatta Stadium on October 20, 2012\. But would the novelty wear off? Not a chance. Almost 27,000 fans, many of them decked out in Wanderers colours, streamed into Allianz Stadium to watch the Wanderers claim a stunning 2-0 victory over their cross-town foes. Goals to Youssouf Hersi and Michael Beauchamp dampened The Cove’s mood. A rivalry was born. In year two, all three derbies were sold out, attracting some 100,000 fans to the three matches.
\
\
TEN-GAME WINNING STREAK - 577 days ago

No one saw this coming. The Wanderers had flexed their muscles in week 12 with a 6-1 romp over Adelaide United, but a 10-game winning streak was beyond even Popovic’s expectations. Phoenix (twice), Heart (twice), Perth, Victory, Adelaide, Newcastle, Roar, Mariners all fell victim to Western Sydney during their incredible march to the finals, stopped only by a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC in the penultimate round of the home-and-away season.

The Wanderers’ late season charge sealed them the Premiers Plate in their very first season.

Labinot Haliti’s goal at Central Coast gave the side the advantage in the race for the Premiers’ Plate, before a huge travelling contingent went to Newcastle to watch the club win a first trophy.
\
\
GRAND FINAL - 548 days ago

There was as much build-up to this decider as there’s ever been, with the Wanderers’ remarkable achievements sparking mainstream interest. On a glorious Sydney day, the Wanderers and Mariners clashed at Allianz Stadium in a ‘feel good’ decider. The Mariners finally broke their title duck but the defeat wouldn’t shake the Wanderers’ juggernaut.

BACK-T0-BACK GRAND FINALS – 149 days ago

Second year syndrome? First year a fluke? Don’t think so. Popovic’s men might not have conjured another ridiculous streak like in year one, but they paced themselves through the season with expertise, while players like Mathew Spiranovic, Tomi Juric and Brendon Santalab took the side to another level from the maiden campaign. At times, Popovic was criticised for his rotation of players. Well, his strategy, to succeed both in Asia and the A-League, now looks a masterstroke. The side inevitably succumb to Brisbane Roar in a really tight decider.

THE MIRACLE OF HIROSHIMA – 139 days ago

Can they go all the way? The Wanderers were busy going about their business in the ACL, but hype really started to pick up through the club’s impressive knockout campaign. There was no rest for the wicked, with the two legs against Popovic’s former club Sanfrecce Hiroshima just days after the A-League finished. Returning to Pirtek Stadium after a 3-1 loss in Japan, Shinji Ono’s farewell match proved a memorable one, with wonder strikes from Brendon Santalab and Shannon Cole getting the job done.

WANDERERS SOLD – 94 days ago

After the legwork of the opening two seasons, Football Federation Australia finally sold the club to a consortium headed by Primo Smallgoods’ Paul Lederer, and the new structure kicked in on June 30 this year. “The Wanderers were built for the people, by the people of western Sydney. That was the promise from day one and FFA has held true to that mission,” David Gallop said. “Like FFA before it, the new consortium understands its role as the guardians of the Wanderers. They are entrusted by the members of the club to protect and build on what has been achieved.”

GUANGZHOU CONQUERORS – 32 days ago

David against Goliath and the relative paupers from Western Sydney prevailed on a night of great theatre at Pirtek Stadium. The win over two legs against Guangzhou Evergrande, coached by World Cup winner Marcelo Lippi, with a squad worth an estimated $38m and a club worth some $390 million more than Western Sydney.

Lippi infamously lost the plot at Pirtek Stadium as his side had two players sent-off in a 1-0 defeat before the Wanderers travelled to a hostile reception in China and got the business done.
\
\
SEOUL BROTHERS – October 1, 2014

And here we are. A predicted tight and tense first leg in Seoul finished all level – and with the way Popovic’s men defend at Wanderland, the A-League outfit returned home knowing historic progression to the final was within reach. In front of a heaving home crowd, Mateo Poljak’s pile-driver set the tone and despite a second-half assault from the Korean outfit, Shannon Cole’s super header got the business done, sending a side still in pre-season to a third grand final.
 
Disappointing result, although with a bit of luck we could have jagged something from that game. First goal was a clear foul, and we had a clear penalty turned down. Also didn't help having our top 2 CBs out. Not a great start, but certainly not panic stations.
 
@Marshall_magic said:
Disappointing result, although with a bit of luck we could have jagged something from that game. First goal was a clear foul, and we had a clear penalty turned down. Also didn't help having our top 2 CBs out. Not a great start, but certainly not panic stations.
Click to expand...

That game meant a lot more to Victory, then the Wanderers but yeah still a disappointing result. Some poor defending and no real luck tonight. Missed big Topor Standley a fair bit tonight. He marshall's the backline very well.

_Posted using RoarFEED_
 
Wanderers have bigger fish to fry in the very near future

Wish them good luck as well , they are representing our country and our game and hope they get the job done

Definitely will be David v Goliath mission though
 
@Peaches said:
@Marshall_magic said:
Disappointing result, although with a bit of luck we could have jagged something from that game. First goal was a clear foul, and we had a clear penalty turned down. Also didn't help having our top 2 CBs out. Not a great start, but certainly not panic stations.

That game meant a lot more to Victory, then the Wanderers but yeah still a disappointing result. Some poor defending and no real luck tonight. Missed big Topor Standley a fair bit tonight. He marshall's the backline very well.

_Posted using RoarFEED_
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Topors or Spira would have made a huge difference. Golec didn't carry his good form over to CB, and his replacement at LB, Cole also had a poor game. 3 of the goals were mistakes by these two.
 
@foreveratiger said:
The atmosphere should be awesome Blackpearl, enjoy the game. Need at the very least a win at home
Click to expand...

The march to stadium and the noise inside was pretty special tonight. A juric second goal would have been great. The WSW on the verge of being Asian champions. Time for all football followers to get behind the boys
 
@Blackpearl said:
@foreveratiger said:
The atmosphere should be awesome Blackpearl, enjoy the game. Need at the very least a win at home

The march to stadium and the noise inside was pretty special tonight. A juric second goal would have been great. The WSW on the verge of being Asian champions. Time for all football followers to get behind the boys
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Where abouts were you sitting Blackpearl. I was in the RBB section off to the left. It felt a little bit quiet at times but after Juric's goal it really picked up. The streaker was a really disturbing sight.
 
@Blackpearl said:
@foreveratiger said:
The atmosphere should be awesome Blackpearl, enjoy the game. Need at the very least a win at home

The march to stadium and the noise inside was pretty special tonight. A juric second goal would have been great. The WSW on the verge of being Asian champions. Time for all football followers to get behind the boys
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Yeah well said Blackpearl , this has to put Australia on the Map in the Football World if we can hold on in the 2nd leg and pull it off , Come on Wanderers !!!!
Hopefully this will continue to Aid money into the game from the Corporate World and maybe see players at there peak from Europe clubs coming over and playing in Australia , can never see it happen as the Europe Leagues are way to Superior to what we will ever be .
We can always dream though :mrgreen:
 
Special atmosphere last night. I couldn't make either of the previous grand finals, but I made this one. Great to see Tomi and Spira back on the park, Tomi getting himself on the score sheet. Confident heading back to the middle east.

I must say, all the Hilal fans we saw on Church Street after the game were so polite and gracious. A far cry from the Evergrande mob who resort to death threats and childish name calling over social media.
 
@Dazza-96 said:
@Blackpearl said:
@foreveratiger said:
The atmosphere should be awesome Blackpearl, enjoy the game. Need at the very least a win at home

The march to stadium and the noise inside was pretty special tonight. A juric second goal would have been great. The WSW on the verge of being Asian champions. Time for all football followers to get behind the boys

Where abouts were you sitting Blackpearl. I was in the RBB section off to the left. It felt a little bit quiet at times but after Juric's goal it really picked up. The streaker was a really disturbing sight.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Yeah dazza, bay 13 western stand, which is near the rbb end. When the changes were made in the second half al hllal showed IMO definate area's of weakness that hopefully the wanderers can take to advantage next game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 767 (members: 42, guests: 725)
Back
Top