Wanderers’ resurgent Hyundai A-League form has coach Tony Popovic smiling ahead of tonight’s ACL group clash with FC Seoul, though there are injury worries for one of his players.
Hyundai A-League clubs’ ACL preview
A late season surge has seen the Wanderers secure their place in the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
The red and black are unbeaten in their last five games, while conceding just two goals, and their fans are dreaming of success again at the business end of the domestic season.
“The players are very confident,” Popovic told reporters ahead of tonight’s ACL clash with Seoul in Campbelltown.
“They’re physically in great shape and they know they’re playing well.
“Now they’re getting rewarded for their good performances.
“We’ll be looking to try and continue on in this competition and we know [this] is an important game,” he said.
SEOUL WON’T LIE DOWN
After heavy defeats to Urawa Red Diamonds and Shanghai SIPG FC in their first two ACL outings, Western Sydney grabbed a crucial 3-2 win in Seoul in their last game.
And despite a wretched campaign which has seen them lose all three matches so far, Popovic is still expecting the visitors to provide a stern test.
“They’ll come here to try and get a win.
“We know they have a strong enough squad to be able to put out a very good side.
“We saw that with the team they played in the weekend – they played Jeju and they were the better side.
“We know they’ve got quality and we’ll be ready for that tomorrow.
“We have to start with the right intensity and the right intent to put them on the back foot.
“Anything less than what we did in Seoul won’t be enough,” added Popovic.
CHANGES LIKELY
With the Hyundai A-League Finals Series looming, Popovic faces a tricky balancing act to keep his squad fresh and fit.
“We’ll make some changes but whoever we put out there, we’re going into the game to do everything we can to win,” he said.
“We did that in Seoul. We had a lot of players who you may have expected to start that game that didn’t.
“Young boys came in and did a fantastic job and we got the three points.
“The only question mark will be Jaushua Sotirio – he had a bit of tightness last week.
“We’ll have to check him to see if he’s ready for this one or ready for the weekend.”
