Wanderers take GF revenge with win over Mariners

It was the Grand Final replay but without the same outcome. The Western Sydney Wanderers exacted revenge on the Central Coast Mariners by winning at their Parramatta home base - now officially known as Pirtek Stadium but affectionately called ‘Wanderland’ – and in front of another marvellous crowd which created a truly amazing atmosphere as usual.

It was a very good performance by the Wanderers who created the better of the chances and thoroughly outplayed the Mariners in the crucial final third of the pitch. In reality, they always looked the team more likely to score.

The goals that decided the encounter all happened in the first stanza of play. Shortly before the 20 minute mark a Jacopo La Rocca shot was deflected but Tomi Juric, the Hyundai A-League surprise packet of the season, with a stunning bicycle kick made sure that the ball went in.

It was another brilliant goal by a player who under the tutelage of Tony Popovic has come along in leaps and bounds. Did anyone mention a seat on the plane to Brazil next June? Juric surely must come into some of Ange Postecoglou’s serious calculations and considerations.

Up until this point the Mariners probably had their best spell of the game but 20 minutes is not enough in any game let alone against a well-drilled and disciplined Wanderers.

The second goal was Youssouf Hersi’s but the good lead up work involved both La Rocca, the other Italian in a Sydney A-League team, and the Japanese maestro Shinji Ono.

It was Ono’s ball that was terrifically met by Hersi as he slammed the ball into the net leaving Liam Reddy pondering how he could have saved that rocket in the 32^nd minute.

A special mention in this goal needs to be made of referee Strebre Delovski for allowing the advantage to be played I favour of the Wanderers. It was another example of why Delovski is one of the best in the business because other referees may have been tempted to blow the whistle a little too early and pull up play.

The defence of the Wanderers in this game deserves special mention. Every possible attack from the Mariners was met with a stern and confident array of players in red and black. It was indeed a frustrating night for the visitors as the Wanderers maintained their sixth clean sheet of the season.

However, the Wanderers are not just about defence even though Popovic himself was one of the greatest defenders ever produced in this country.

Enough players are always left forward to be ready for another possible attack. It’s something that Popovic has clearly worked on and reinforced in his team in these first two years.

The Wanderers did indeed have an array of chances and closer examination of the game in hindsight will probably show that some the chances in the second half should have been converted into goals.

So where to for Phil Moss? The likeable coach, who is trying to fill the big shoes left by Graham Arnold, certainly needs to take stock over Christmas

Over the last few weeks the Mariners have not played that well and after tonight’s game are stuck in 6^th position on the ladder. It’s certainly not what they are used to.

Moss needs to turn the season around fairly shortly or his coaching career in the A-League may be over before it really begins. He is not a big name and his only coaching experience at senior level prior to the Mariners was in the NSW Premier League with Manly United.

It’s a big leap from state league football to A-League football and while some may argue that Moss is on a learning curve, unfortunately in the higher echelons of football that very curve always needs to be heading in an upward direction. It’s not too late just yet but this desire to climb up the ladder surely must be on the wish list of all Mariners fans.