Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Sydney: Coach Tony Popovic believes Western Sydney Wanderers' qualification for the AFC Champions League final can further boost the level of interest in football in Australia, particularly ahead of January's AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
The A-League side capped a remarkable maiden continental campaign with a 2-0 win over 2013 finalists FC Seoul at Parramatta Stadium on Wednesday in their semi-final second leg thanks to goals from Mateo Poljak and Shannon Cole.
And with the win handing Western Sydney a 2-0 success on aggregate, Popovic's side followed in the footsteps of 2008 finalists Adelaide United to become only the second A-League side to reach the AFC Champions League final where they will face Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.
"This is fantastic for Australian football. We have the Asian Cup coming here in January. The sport in the code is growing," said Popovic, who has also seen his side beat defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande and Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the knockout stage.
"We hope this kind of thing will help further put football on the map in Australia, and nights like this can only enhance our reputation for football in this country."
Popovic has already guided Western Sydney to back-to-back A-League Grand Finals, having won the A-League Premiership in their first year in existence in 2013.
"This is the best, nothing beats this. This is the equivalent of the Champions League in Europe. It is down to just two teams now, and we are one of them," added Popovic.
"It is just a great night for this club. We have had many special nights at this club, but this really tops it off. We don't just want to be in the final, we want to win the final.
"I run out of words for these players. We are still in pre-season. Mateo has been in bed this week with chicken pox. Santa (Brendan Santalab) hasn't played any minutes due to injury and suspension.
"That is just two players. I could go through the whole lot. It is just a tremendous performance and achievement."
Western Sydney will entertain two-time Asian champions Al Hilal in the first leg on October 25 in Australia ahead of the return fixture in Saudi Arabia a week later.
"I think at this stage it doesn't matter. We beat Guangzhou less prepared than what we are now, playing at home first," said Popovic, who has seen his side win their last five games at home in the AFC Champions League without conceding a goal.
"Come October 25, we will better prepared again with a few A-League games under our belt."
Photo: WSG