Western Sydney Wanderers are set to pull off an upset in Sunday’s Hyundai A-League grand final, according to stars from rival Hyundai A-League clubs.
Western Sydney Wanderers are set to pull off an upset in Sunday’s Hyundai A-League grand final, according to stars from rival Hyundai A-League clubs.
That’s the view of some of the competitions leading players from rival clubs just days out from Sunday’s highly-anticipated decider at Suncorp Stadium following a snap poll by www.footballaustralia.com at Monday’s A-League awards night.
“It’s a tough call but I fancy western Sydney,” Perth skipper Jacob Burns said.
“They’ve hit some really good form and looked really good in the ACL.
“Popa’s got them hitting their straps at just the right time. I don’t know if the break that Brisbane had has helped them out that much.
“It was a very evenly matched the game with Victory and a tough game and maybe that extra day that Western Sydney have off could be the difference,” added the Glory great, who retired at season-s end.
Sydney FC defender Sasa Ognenovski also sees his club’s cross-town rivals becoming just the second club to win an A-League title interstate.
“They are riding a bit of a wave off the back of the (AFC) Champions League,” the one-time AFC Asian Player of the Year said of Wanderers.
“They had a good win against Central Coast which was a tough team to play against.
“They had the week break and during that week Brisbane weren’t playing games and they [Roar] probably weren’t playing at their best [against Victory].
“It’s going to be a cracking grand final, the top two teams all year but I’m tipping the Wanderers.
“Their confidence is sky high at the moment.”
Newcastle Jets skipper Ruben Zadkovich also plumped for Wanderers while Central Coast midfielder Nick Montgomery believes his side’s win over Western Sydney last season will spur them to victory this time.
“Just for the fact they missed out last year and they will be desperate to turn it around,” the former Sheffield United midfielder said.
“They are a strong side, they’ve used player rotations quite a lot this season and they have fresh bodies come Sunday.
“They’ve got a manager that’s desperate to win the grand final and he’s going to go on to massive things.
“Brisbane this year in the league was by far the best team and won it with a few weeks to spare but momentum going into a grand final it’s everything and I think it’s with the Wanderers.”
There was some love for the Roar, with Melbourne Victory skipper Mark Milligan and Adelaide shot-stopper Eugene Galekovic both expecting Mike Mulvey’s troops to complete the Premiers’ Plate-Championship double.
“I think it’s going to be a very good match. With the Roar being at home I think they are going to be very tough to beat,” Milligan said.
“They are a very mobile side; they’ll have a big crowd behind them as well.
“They are very tough to beat. Western Sydney will push them close but I think Roar will get there in the end.”
Galekovic added: “It would be good to see Brisbane win because they are the best team in the competition.
“Home advantage will probably get them over the line but finishing the regular season 10 points clear; I think they deserve to win.”
Brisbane Roar have released their memberships for the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
Click here for information and to sign up today.
Brisbane Roar will host Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League Championship on Sunday 4 May, kicking off at 4pm AEST. Click here to purchase tickets.
Follow all the action of the Grand Final on social media using the hash-tag #ALeagueGF
