Western Sydney Wanderers FC CEO John Tsatsimas says it’s a “very proud moment” for the club to have won the award as the AFC’s best club.
The Wanderers were crowned as the Club of the Year at the annual AFC awards in Manila on Sunday night following their fairytale run to the ACL final where they defeated Al-Hilal over two legs.
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“We had our first foray into the AFC Champions League competition as a club of only two and half years old and it was a very proud moment not only for the club but the country as well,” Tsatsimas told the AFC website.
“Winning the AFC Champions League was a significant milestone in Australian football history.
“The achievements that have been accomplished by this club have been nothing short of outstanding. Did we have high expectations? Yes, but did those expectations incorporate what has transpired in this two and half year period? Absolutely not.
“But our prime focus was success and representing the people of Western Sydney as best we can on the global stage.”
Tsatsimas believes the Wanderers’ stunning on-field success in Asia has set the platform for the future for other club’s in Australia to leverage off.
“It’s certainly a unique achievement considering the parameters the club has in terms of salary cap and squad numbers,” he said.
“It certainly provides the youth of Australia something to aspire to from a youth perspective.”
