FFA CEO David Gallop has today congratulated the Western Sydney Wanderers on the greatest ever achievement by an Australian football club, in winning the 2014 Asian Champions League.
The Wanderers were crowned Club Champion of Asia after securing 1-0 aggregate victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in Riyadh early this morning.
Gallop, who was at the King Fahd International Stadium to witness this historic event, paid tribute to the Western Sydney Wanderers and their legions of fans.
“On behalf of the entire football community, everyone from the grassroots to Hyundai A-League, I salute the Wanderers on a magnificent and historic win,” said Gallop.
“Also to the Wanderers fans that were in the stadium last night and who have supported the club throughout their ACL campaign, your efforts are truly worthy of acknowledgement as well.
“This triumph will resonate throughout the game and across our nation. The impact will be felt beyond sport and will speak to Australia’s future in the Asian Century and football’s pivotal role.
“At the heart of this success is one the most amazing sporting stories we’ve ever seen in Australian sport. It’s a start-up less than three years old that today stands proudly as the champion of Asia. That says it all.”
The Wanderers will now represent Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup in December.
