Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Parramatta: Coach Tony Popovic insists Western Sydney Wanderers are fully focused on winning a historic maiden AFC Champions League title despite unwanted poor domestic form ahead of Saturday’s final first leg against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at Parramatta Stadium.
Western Sydney are seeking to become the first Australian winners of the competition having disposed of the likes of J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 2013 winners Guangzhou Evergrande from China and last year’s runners-up FC Seoul from Korea Republic en route to the final.
But as Western Sydney look to go one step further than fellow A-League side Adelaide United, who lost the 2008 final 5-0 on aggregate to Japan’s Gamba Osaka, Popovic’s side head into the first leg having opened their new domestic campaign with back-to-back losses to Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.
“The results in the league have not affected the team,” said Popovic, who has seen his side win their last five AFC Champions League games at Parramatta Stadium without conceding a goal. "We will get to the league after the Champions League. It is a long season and you have to remember that we are in the Champions League because of our A-League success.
"That’s why we are here and that’s why next season in February we will play in the Champions League again because of our success in the A-League. We take the A-League very seriously, but at the moment this is our sole focus to become the champion of Asia
“The players are ready for the final and they deserve a lot of credit for being here. They have beaten some real powerhouses of Asia to make the final and we have another powerhouse to beat to be the champions and we are prepared.
“No final is easy and no Champions League game is easy. We expect a tough match and we will give them a tough match and we are sure they will give us a tough match as well.”
Popovic, though, does have several injury concerns ahead of the first leg with question marks hanging over forward Brendon Santalab, striker Tomi Juric and defender Matthew Spiranovic.
Santalab suffered a hamstring strain in the closing stages of last weekend’s 3-2 defeat by Sydney FC, while Spiranovic has not played since appearing for Australia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup following ankle surgery.
And Juric, meanwhile, has not featured since the second leg of the quarter-final success over Guangzhou in August due to a combination of suspension and then a groin strain.
“We believe they are ready. Brendon is the only one that is a real concern. He will train today and we will see if he can be available for tomorrow,” added Popovic, who has guided Western Sydney to the previous two A-League Grand Finals.
“We would love to have them all available, but we also need players who are fully fit for such a big game.”
Success in the final, with the second leg set to a take place in Riyadh next Saturday, would compete a fairytale run for Western Sydney who have only just started their third A-League season having been founded in April 2012.
In comparison, opponents Al Hilal are seeking to win a third continental title having claimed victory in the Asian Club Championship in both 1991 and 2000, while also winning 13 domestic league titles in Saudi Arabia.
“We have had a good look at them. They are a strong side with a proud history as a club and we certainly have a lot of respect for them and we have looked closely into ways in which we can win the match and we are here to win a final. As much as we respect them, we will do everything we can do get a positive result here in the first leg and take a positive result to the away game,” said Popovic.
“We have a lot of respect for Al Hilal and for what they have achieved, and we hope in 50 years when we have 50 years of history, we have as many titles if not more. We understand the quality they have and the experience they have, but we have experienced a lot on this journey and we have always played big teams with big experience and big players and these players have always shone through. They have a lot of belief and a lot of quality and that is why they are in the final.”