The Western Sydney Wanderers have made history, qualifying for the Westfield W-League Finals Series for the very first time after a 3-2 win against Perth Glory last night.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have made history, qualifying for the Westfield W-League Finals Series for the very first time after a 3-2 win against Perth Glory last night.
Looking very comfortable at 3-0 up at half time following a stunning first half performance, the Red & Black had to survive a second half comeback from Perth Glory before running out 3-2 winners last night to claim their spot in the top four.
The Wanderers will now play Premiers Melbourne City in an away Semi Final on 15 March with the winner qualifying for the Grand Final.
That can wait, however, as the team deservedly take some time to lap up and enjoy the special moment.
Understandably, there were scenes of jubilation at full-time last night for the Wanderers who have now added their names to the club’s growing overall list of achievements.
It has taken eight seasons, 96 games, 2627 days and almost 8700 minutes for the club to achieve this landmark moment.
It is a tribute to the fighting spirit of the Wanderers, who have had to contend with a series of injuries, suspensions and key player losses over the past six weeks or so that saw them struggling for results as their spot in the top four came under pressure.
A number of quality players, Americans Kristen Hamilton, Lynn Williams, Sam Staab and Abby Smith, Matildas star Amy Harrison and Irish international Denise O’Sullivan were added to an impressive roster of locals.
From the start, Heffernan, Beauchamp, and Cannuli worked tirelessly to fashion a quality squad with belief, confidence and a technical nous that saw them go unbeaten in the opening six rounds of the season.
The Red & Black were an irresistible force as they raced to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 30 minutes through Staab and a brace from Hamilton in the 11th and 28th minutes.
Not surprisingly, however, Glory came out much more strongly in the second half and pulled the deficit back through Celia on 62 minutes and Morgan Andrews on 83 minutes.
It made for a rather nerve wracking final 13 minutes (there were six minutes of added time) as both sides had chances.
In the end, nothing was going to stand in the way of the Wanderers and history as the Red & Black defended with all their might.
