It was a game for the ages but hat-trick hero Romeo Castelen says the Wanderers need to forget Sunday’s epic semi final win if they are to land their first Hyundai A-League title.
Western Sydney booked their spot against Adelaide in this weekend’s decider thanks to an astonishing comeback from three goals down to win 5-4 after extra-time.
Report: Wanderers win sensational semi final in extra time
Gallery: Wanderers’ incredible comeback stuns Roar
It was an incredible, unforgettable night at Pirtek Stadium – the last game at the venue before its redevelopment – and will go down as one of the best-ever matches in A-League history.
But Castelen believes the sooner they put it of their minds, the more chance they’ll have of toppling the Reds on Sunday.
“Physically you have to recover. But this one we have to put behind us. It was great emotions but we have to focus on the next game,” the Dutch winger told reporters on Tuesday.
“You go to finals to win them and you have to be prepared. It’s up to the coaching staff and the players to make sure we’re ready.
“For a final you don’t need to influence or motivate players anymore. This is why you play football.
“How many players can say they play in finals? It’s not something you do every week or every year.
“This is a moment you have to go in there and make history again. We go in there confident, motivated and ready.”
There is little between the Wanderers and Adelaide, with the two sides playing out three draws during the regular season.
Castelen is expecting a typically tight battle and doesn’t expect the move from Coopers Stadium to Adelaide Oval to adversely affect either side.
One thing he is sure of is having thousands of Red and Black fans there to support the side, despite many having to shell-out over more than $1000 on airfares just to get to Adelaide.
“Our fans are massive. We played a game in wellington and there was 200 or 300 people going over there and it’s a long trip.
“They come in big numbers. For Australian football, for Western Sydney this is amazing.
“I have people from Europe calling me saying ‘this is unbelievable. Not only the fans but the quality of the game was high as well’.
“People were in tears [after the game on Sunday] and that shows the club and the fan base we have.”
Castelen, who is off contract at the end of the season, says he will wait until after Sunday’s grand final before focusing on his future.
“My head is now in the finals,” he said.
“We have to go in and play finals football, get the job done then after that everything will fall into place.”
