A lone second-half strike from substitute Tomi Juric edged Western Sydney Wanderers to a 1-0 win over Al-Hilal. A home victory was crucial for Tony Popovic’s side, but equally as important was denying the Saudis an away goal, a key ambition that was successfully achieved.
It was always going to be a clash of cultures. Al-Hilal, so-named because of a royal decree from a long-departed Saudi King, boast a tradition dating back over half a century and are, by some definitions, Asia’s most decorated club. Mega-rich and donning royal blue suitable for a club with a regal mentality, Al-Hilal consider themselves to be at the top of the pecking order. Nicknamed Al-Zaeem, ‘The Boss’, they certainly have the ambition.
In the red corner were Western Sydney Wanderers, a team with barely two years of history, representing their city’s sprawling suburbs. A team partly comprised of off-casts and rejects, and one that plays with a blue-collar work ethic forged in the mould of their coach Popovic. Clichéd though it may be, the contrast could hardly be greater.
Al-Hilal lined up with a headline-grabbing roster to match the much-vaunted Marcello Lippi-coached Guangzhou Evergrande, who the Wanderers famously eliminated at the quarter-final stage. In the forward line was Saudi poster-boy and prolific marksman Nassir Al-Shamrani. The iconic, though now ageing Saudi star, Yasser Al-Qahtani missed the trip to Australia because of suspension. The defence was marshalled by Korea Republic veteran international Kwak Tae-Hwi. Most notable though was Brazilian playmaker Tiago Neves. Not the kind of South American journeyman often found across the Asian leagues, but one with seven caps for the Seleção and a resume that includes spells at Fluminense and Hamburg.
In some ways, one suspects Popovic and his side thrive on greater adversity. The Wanderers’ campaign has largely mirrored Adelaide United’s run to the 2008 final, a tense campaign of fine margins. The challenge for the Wanderers was to avoid the fate that befell the Reds six years ago when a classy Gamba Osaka ended the contest within a matter of minutes, en route to a 5-0 aggregate defeat.
As it transpired the game-plan to keep the game compact was successful, and Al-Hilal rarely threatened the home team’s goal in the early stages, despite their willingness to secure a quick away goal.
Popovic elected to start with his two best players on the bench; striker Juric and the Socceroos’ World Cup defender Matt Spiranovic. Both are still yet to reach match fitness, but in the case of Juric a second-half entrance is in keeping with the Wanderers preferred methodology; a tight opening and a strong finish. It is a process that has served the Wanderers well throughout their short life. And so it proved again
Al-Hilal at times seemed keen to press for an early goal, but the Wanderers have a resilience few others can match. It took the full 45 minutes for either side to carve out an opening, as Al-Shamrani skied his snapshot over with only goalkeeper to beat from 15 metres. It was a fine opening, albeit a brief sight of goal. This was always likely to be a match of few openings and a need to make the most of opportunities in the opposition penalty area.
It took a full 60 minutes for the Wanderers to conjure a shot, and even then Shannon Cole’s free-kick from the edge of the penalty area could not penetrate the defensive wall.
Juric entered the fray just prior to the hour mark as expected, and the crowd roared their approval with rare ferocity, even by the lofty standards of a Wanderers home game.
But just six minutes after coming on, Juric scored the crucial goal. Full-back Antony Golec, under-rated for his ability going forward, delivered a perfect low delivery from the left and Juric muscled in front of his marker to slide the ball home. It was a simple finish in a way but typical of Juric to be the talisman in a team largely comprised of artisans.
“His impact was fantastic,” said Popovic of match-winner Juric. “He hasn’t played for seven weeks. It was a fantastic goal. A great overlap, a great ball and a real strikers’ finish. It is a shame he didn’t get that second one. In any league in the world, that is a great goal.”
After the deadlock had been broken, suddenly the contest was alive, fraying slightly at the seams. Al-Shamrani shaped up unnecessarily to Ante Covic, and the ever-dangerous twinkle-toed Salem Al-Dossari did similar. Thiago copped a yellow card that seemed borne out of frustration. Club owner Prince Abdulrahman bin Mosaad, curiously granted a position on the bench, was in danger of getting sent to the stands. His side, meanwhile, were in danger of losing their focus, and playing into the home side’s hands.
Juric burst forward on the counter-attack with 18 minutes remaining and, as Al-Hilal’s remaining defensive duo back-tracked, he hit the post with a low shot that was more precision than power. It was a near miss, but could well prove a pivotal one. It is on such fine margins that titles can be won and lost.
Spiranovic then came on in a rare defensive midfield role, just as Popovic undoubtedly planned pre-match. The Wanderers were hunting a second goal to take to Riyadh.
The Wanderers though were not without nervy moments around their goal. Daniel Mullen nodded a back-header over advancing goalkeeper Covic but catastrophe was avoided. Al-Dossari then headed dreadfully off target when presented with a great opening.
The save of the match didn’t arrive until a minute into injury time. This time Al-Dossari could not be blamed as Covic stood tall and made a crucial block. The pressure from the visitors was becoming intense and they had one final opportunity for a tie-changing away goal. The 20,000 capacity crowd held their breath but Thiago struck the wall with his free-kick. It was literally the last kick of a nerve-shredding first leg.
“This result fills us with confidence,” said Popovic. “We are halfway to achieving something really special. We have set the platform now. All the players deserve credit but the job is not done.”
Juric was named player of the match for his decisive half-hour cameo. If he can repeat the feat in the Saudi capital, the Wanderers stand a great chance of being crowned kings of Asia.
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