Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic warned cross-town rivals Sydney FC they will face a far greater challenge from his side when they meet again in December.
Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic warned cross-town rivals Sydney FC they will face a far greater challenge from his side when the Hyundai A-League’s newest rivalry resumes in December.
The Sky Blues will enjoy bragging rights for at least the next seven weeks after defeating the Wanderers 1-0 in the inaugural Harbour City derby on Saturday, but Popovic already has one eye on the return bout.
The teams meet again on December 15 at Allianz Stadium, with the Wanderers boss predicting his team to be a lot slicker after a few more matches under its belt.
“They (Sydney FC) have one over us for now and our fans go home disappointed but it will come, I’ve got no doubt about that,” Popovic said.
“We’re all together in this and they (the fans) can see the team is performing well.
“The team’s giving them everything they’ve got and we just need that little break in that final third.
“If the performances keep going well, we will get that end result that we deserve.”
Despite the loss, Popovic rated the first all-Sydney derby a memorable experience after just under 20,000 packed Parramatta Stadium to watch Alessandro Del Piero settle the issue when he tucked away the rebound after Ante Covic parried the Italian’s attempt from the penalty spot.
Popovic said: “You could see it in the stands and we certainly felt it on the sideline.
“You could see the passion of both sets of players. It felt like a real derby game.”
Sydney FC counterpart Ian Crook added: “This city has been crying out for a derby for six or seven years.
“It takes two to tango and both sides gave something for the crowd to go away with and want to come back and see another one.”
Of more immediate concern for the Wanderers is a lack of goals.
They are yet to hit the back of the net after 270 minutes of football and are one game away from equalling Central Coast’s 2006/07 record of four goalless games to start a season.
“We’re getting in the right areas, we’re getting in behind teams,” Popovic said.
“It’s just that final ball or something falling for us in the box.
“If we’re not getting in the right areas in the final third I’d be very concerned but we are.
“Obviously we need something to fall for us in that department.”
