Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Victorious coach Tony Popovic hailed Western Sydney Wanderers’ desire to win after the A-League side claimed a historic AFC Champions League title as Saturday’s goalless draw with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal secured a 1-0 victory on aggregate.
Western Sydney were put under intense pressure for the majority of the second leg by an Al Hilal side playing in front of a capacity crowd of close to 65,000 at the King Fahd International Stadium.
But with Tomi Juric’s strike after 64 minutes of last week’s first leg ultimately proving the difference between the sides after two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal again failed to convert a dominant performance into a breakthrough, continental debutants Western Sydney became the first Australian winner of the AFC Champions League.
“The game was everything you expect from a final. It was difficult. They are a very good team, they had fantastic support, but we are an excellent team and we showed over two legs how good we are,” said former Australia international Popovic.
“It is still a little surreal for me as a coach. I am sure it will hit home in the next few days when we reflect. For me, I am just proud for these players and our club. The first time in the competition, to win it, I think in the future we will really understand how special this run has been and how it was to win this title.
“We don’t have the resources or the funds that some of these other teams have, but we have something that money can’t buy, the desire to win, the resilience to play for each other and do anything they can to win. No money can buy that and that’s what these players have in abundance.”
The victory added to an impressive set of results for the two-time A-League Grand finalists in their maiden continental campaign following earlier wins over J. League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande from China and 2013 finalists FC Seoul from Korea Republic.
“I think once you get through the group stages, then anything is possible. You have got a home and away, and then when you are through the Round of 16, you realise there are only three ties to go,” added Popovic.
“I think the turning point was Guangzhou. Beating such a powerhouse six weeks into our pre-season, I know for sure the players believed we could win it, not just make the final, and you saw over these two games the belief the players have.”
And having succeeded where fellow A-League side Adelaide United failed in 2008 after losing their final 5-0 on aggregate to Japan’s Gamba Osaka, Western Sydney will now represent Asia at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup despite only having been founded in April 2012.
“Of course we are honoured that Western Sydney Wanderers will represent Asia at the World Club Championship. We are extremely honoured to be able to do that, and we will certainly do our confederation proud,” said Popovic.
“We will go there to give it our very best, we will enjoy the experience, and it is a fantastic achievement for our club in such a short space of time.”