Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: A confident Tony Popovic has declared his Western Sydney Wanderers are in Riyadh to win a maiden AFC Champions League title as the A-League side seek to defend a slender one-goal advantage inSaturday’s final second leg against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at King Fahd International Stadium.
Western Sydney substitute Tomi Juric scored the only goal in last week’s first leg at Parramatta Stadium as the two-time A-League Grand Finalists prevailed despite being forced onto the backfoot for the majority of the contest.
But despite that pressure set to be further increased as sold-out crowd of 65,000 is expected to fill the King Fahd International Stadium as Al Hilal seek a record-equalling third continental title, Popovic has backed his tournament debutants to deliver Australia’s first AFC Champions League crown.
“We expect a vocal crowd to support their team which you expect when you come away from home, but we are excited to be here and we are looking forward to a good match,” said former Australia international Popovic.
“It is not for me to say how we will play, but we are here to win the final. We expect to win the final.
“I have no fears for tomorrow, just excitement to play in a final in front of a very big crowd. My team is prepared and we can’t wait.
“We are prepared for the final and prepared for all the conditions that come with playing here.”
Juric was only fit enough to start on the bench last week due to a groin injury, but the striker along with defender Matthew Spiranovic are pushing to start in the second leg.
Spiranovic made his first appearance since the 2014 FIFA World Cup following ankle surgery after also being introduced as a second half substitute, while Brendon Santalab is also available despite dislocating his shoulder during the first leg.
“He (Tomi) is fit enough to start,” added Popovic. “All the players are good and all the players are fit and available for selection.”
Despite not possessing the history of two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal, Western Sydney have enjoyed a remarkable two years since being founded in April 2012 after advancing to the AFC Champions League final on the back of a A-League Premiership in their maiden domestic season as well as back-to-back Grand Final appearances.
“We are obviously a new club with a short history of just over two years. Our opponent has a very famous history and one we would love to have one day so we respect our opponent,” said Popovic.
“But we are here as we deserve to be here and the players are here as we are the top two clubs in the ACL. We showed in the first leg we are a good team and now we have to do it one more time.
“We are here short of experience in this competition, but not short of quality.”