The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have suffered their first defeat of their short history with Sydney United taking out tonight’s match 2-1 at Sydney United Sports Centre.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have suffered their first defeat of their short history with Sydney United taking out tonight-s match 2-1 at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Coach Tony Popovic said whilst the side didn-t get up on the scoreboard, he was impressed overall with the performance.
“Certainly, it wasn-t what we were after on the scoreboard but this is all part of the process for us,” he said. “We will learn from this and take a number of positives out of the match and we now head north for a pre-season camp which will be good.”
Popovic said he was impressed with a number of squad members but didn-t want to single anyone out.
“I don-t like to pin-point any certain individuals but a few of the young guys stood up tonight,” he added. “We are working to a number of plans and we will continue to do that, we got some good match fitness out of tonight.”
The Wanderers were in control for the majority of the first-half with the plan to head wide at any opportunity which proved to be the way to go with numerous attacking raids on the United defensive line but there were no shots on target or reward for effort.
After United had their best chance in open play in the 44th minute after the ball was unable to be cleared by the Wanderers, they were rewarded with a corner. From the ensuing play the Wanderers failed to clear the corner and a smart shot from the Mitchell Stamatellis player managed to send it past Covic and into the back of the net.
As the players came back for the second half Coach Tony Popovic kept his same starting 11 and it was United who had the first opportunity but it was grabbed out of the air by Covic.
After 15 minutes of play in the second stanza, the match was again being controlled by the Wanderers and a number of cracks were beginning to appear in the United defence. It was in the 60th minute where the ball was bouncing around the six yard box and some quick movement and good footwork by Mark Bridge won the battle for the ball and put it into the back of the net to equal things up 1-all.
With 10 minutes remaining the United attack kept at the Wanderers and persistence proved to be everything with United drawing a foul in the penalty area. After the first attempt was saved by Goal Keeper Jerrad Tyson, Referee Kris Jones called for the penalty to be taken again after the Wanderers entered the box too early. On the second attempt Vidaic managed to get the ball past Tyson and they went to the lead 2-1.
With many changes again being made by Coach Popovic the United side managed to hold on and claim victory 2-1.
The Wanderers head to Brisbane and Lismore next week as part of a pre-season camp. Check back on Friday for full details for the fixtures next week.
