If you thought the Western Sydney Wanderers 2012/2013 successful season was a fluke, becoming the A-League Premiership Champions in their inaugural season… think again. Last night in the game before Christmas, Wanderland (officially Pirtek Stadium) lit up and it wasn’t just from the fans using their mobiles to create a impromptu Xmas tree approaching the 90th minute.
Last night the Wanderers sent out a message to the rest of the A-League – the Premiership can be defended. They almost too easily took down the 2012/2013 A-League Grand Final Champions Central Coast Mariners, their defence has greatly improved and with a new faster attack tactic came to a flying start with a “goal of the year” score by Tomi Juric who returning to the field after missing five games through injury.
It was evident last night that Graham Arnold was gone, the former Mariners coach was replaced by Phil Moss who left the Mariners to Coach at J-League club Vegalta Sendai. The Arnold style was missing, a style that won the Championship for the Central Coast last season.
The fire began at kickoff, the Wanderers had an attitude that was fuelled by either a passion to re-write the Grand Final last season or to set their candidacy for the championship this season – watching live at the stadium I would even argue both of those reasons were evident. CC Mariners defender Josh Rose fell to the Wanderers increased pressure and was stunned by Jerome Polenz, who took his opponents possession to find Shinji Ono, Wanderers star striker, inside the goal box with a quick low cross. The Japanese Wander-star seemed certain to break the zero-all score but unfortunately brushed just over the crossbar.
But that 0-0 deadlock ended in almost 20 minutes after the first whistle. The 2012/2013 champions tactics dropped to risky tackles, a quick block from the great crosses coming from Youssouf Hersi and a very close-range shot from Iacopo La Rocca. It seemed after the ball bounced from the block that the goal attempt was lost but oh did Juric, the newest signing by Western Sydney, clasped onto an opportunity. With an adjustment and flip, Juric nailed the first goal for the match via a stunning bicycle kick. The crowd, already chanting from minute zero, went nuts. Everyone ran to get a view of the big screen to see the replay and despite being there, despite just witnessing it, they cheered again.
The Mariners however had chances of drawing the score not long afterwards, and it really did seem to be the case. A long hauled boot from Mile Sterjovski to Marcos Flores right inside the box gave a wide open goal to shoot at. He should of used a hard powered foot to knock it in, but he hesitated to adjust his placement and a lunge by Wanderers defender Matthew Spiranovic turned the clear shot askew and it went straight out. 1-0 still in the Wanderers favour.
Spiranovic showed the world the advantage of an out stretched foot just five minutes later, the Mariners found themselves down by two. 2-0 being the final score when the Mariners beat the Wanderers in the Grand Final (Yes, Mariners were the Grand Final Winners, yet Wanderers won the Premiership… it’s complicated). How does an outstretched boot give a decisive point? The Mariners were chasing the Red and Black jerseys of Western Sydney as La Rocca thrusted forward and punted a pass to Shinji Ono on the right side attack. The poster boy whipped in a sweet spot landing cross that found Youssouf Hersi, the smiling Dutchman, slamming the ball into the roof of the net straight off the boot. When AFC Ajax called him Talent of the Future in 1999, they must have foreseen this perfectly placed moment.
The Premiership Winners, after half time, seemed to be headed for a goal in the 54th minute. They could of just run the Mariners out and kept even but the Wanderers wanted a clean sheet. Unfortunately the 3rd goal didn’t come, Polenz was the first to react to a corner ball. He attempted a volley, despite having time to react, which took off straight over the cross bar.
Nick Montgomery of the Mariners was disliked by the home crowd after an elbow during a challenge with Shinji Ono took out the Wanderers favourite ending with a bloodied nose. Montgomery was lucky to escape a second yellow card, although based on many of the calls missed by referee Strebre Delovski (including a pass back with Mariners goalie) it was no surprise by the already angered home crowd. With the injury, Shinji Ono left the field and even despite discussions that he was seeking a change in club in the near future, Ono received a standing ovation. 15,786 on their feet to show their support quickly followed by the 80th minute traditional Poznan.
Labinot Haliti was denied a goal from close range in extra time, but by then the crowd took the attention again when an impromptu Christmas Tree style of lights emerged as fans lifted their phones in flashlight mode. A perfect end before christmas, that being a 2-0 win against Mariners to settle the score from the Grand Final last season.
The Wanderers for some time have been told that the magic was waning but last night proved they still have the passion and the talent to succeed. Hopefully again we will see the Western Sydney Wanderers take the Premiership and then the Grand Final Championship.