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WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS VS NEWCASTLE JETS

KICKOFF: SATURDAY 7.45PM @ HUNTER STADIUM | TV: FOX SPORTS LIVE 7.45PM | RADIO: ABC 702 7.45PM

A BIG WIN HAS put the wind in the Wanderers’ sails as they begin a stop-start stretch of their schedule with a

trip to Newcastle this week.Starting on Saturday the Wanderers need

to tack and jibe well as they play away-home-away-home-away in a fi ve week sequence.

Concentration is needed with a good tally of points if they are to chase down the Roar in fi rst place on the ladder. At worst they need some points to consolidate their

second place leading into the last stretch of fi ve matches, which includes three at home.

Going into their match against Perth Glory last Sunday there were question marks over the Wanderers’ form and ability to threaten for a competition victory.

That was put to rest with a strong performance and, given their position on the ladder after their wobbles throughout the last month; coach Tony Popovic’s willingness to swap experience with youth and move

players around the pitch is also working well enough. Recent results have maintained their position and the team is now fi nding form. The Wanderers scored three goals against Glory last week, all by diff erent players. They went to Brendan Santilab, Aaron Mooy and Mark Bridge.

All three goals came in diff erent modes of the game. Goal one, to Santalab, was a great sweeping move that gave the Glory no time to recover before it was in the net. Goal two was a defl ected free kick by Aaron Mooy,

who needs to get on the score-sheet more often. Goal three arrived through a Mark Bridge game-clinching penalty after the Glory got close enough to take points.

Tomi Juric would still be considered the Wanderers’ best goal scoring threat – with fi ve goals out of 10 appearances and just 25 shots taken – after playing well in stretches this year. But it’s important the team provide other scoring threats so they don’t become one-dimensional.

When teams have one prominent threat and not much else in second place the opposition can plan more clearly to shut a side down. Overly simple attack means a coach only needs to teach simple plans, which in turn means players carry out their duties more effi ciently.

While the goals were the symptom, the diagnosis was a much more fl uid midfi eld highlighted by Matthew Spiranovic moving into the anchoring role to support Aaron Mooy, rather than his usual home in the

backline. His presence at the back of the midfi eld seemed to give the Wanderers a security blanket and released Mooy to roam more than he’s been allowed to in recent weeks.

Looking forward, the hope will be this sees Mooy and perhaps Ono move into more goalscoring positions than they’ve found themselves in this season. If that could be achieved the Wanderers will suddenly look like a much better team with the ball.

Dean Heff ernan, the 100-plus game veteran was able to plug Spiranovic’s central defender position.

Popovic may be tempted to keep Spiranovic in the more advanced role – emulating a similar transition to Mark Milligan at Melbourne Victory – even after Mateo Poljak and Iacopo La Rocca return from injury.

Newcastle come into this match on the back of a three-nil drubbing to a Central Coast Mariners side trying to kick-start

their season similarly to the Wanderers. The Jets haven’t won since December 20th, so the Wanderers would have to fancy their chances this week. That win was also the last time the Jets scored twice.

The Wanderers haven’t scored bags of goals this year, but there are signs things are starting to change, this week should continue that improvement and provide plenty to cheer about for the fans in red and black.

Wanderers Jet to NewcastlePREVIEW BYELISHA PEARCE

“The Wanderers haven’t scored bags of goals this year, but thereare signs things are starting to change”

WANDERERS FANS IN FULL VOICEPHOTO: MELINDA JANE

WANDERWORLD | 3

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SINCE LAST WEEK’S BLOCKBUSTER news Melbourne Heart has been taken over by Manchester City, thus,

Abu Dhabi’s royal family, thus making it the richest club in the world, I’ve been racking my brain to fi nd a negative.

And I’ve come up with nothing.It’s normal to be a bit wary when

something of this nature comes out of the (sky) blue.

What do they want, why do they want it?Well, it appears on face value what

Manchester City want is a foothold in Asia and why they want it is growth.

Every business wants growth, Asia is the place to get it.

They surely aren’t here to pillage a club

for benefi t of reasons unbeknown. There is barely anything to pillage.

For those with reservations, just look at what the Abu Dhabi money has done for Manchester City.

The traditions of the club have been, on the whole, maintained while unbelievable progress has been made on the pitch with a marquee Champions League tie against Barcelona weeks away.

Plus, an academy set up that has to be seen to be believed is in the works.

Melbourne Heart, from what I can see, can’t lose. They have no permanent training base, they have a loyal, but small supporter base and a playing staff which has struggled to keep up all season. Not from next season.

And the rest of Australian football can benefi t with any kind of injection of professionalism such as this.

Behind the scenes Man City have some of the best operators in world football, both in a commercial and sporting sense.

So now it’s over, the FFA has to worry about the sale of the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Rich people will be in charge soon, we are led to believe. Not rich out of this world, but not short of a quid.

What is paramount for Wanderers is to ensure a long term, sustainable plan for every level of the club, like what Manchester City are proposing with Heart.

There can only be good in that.

Out of the (sky) blue

The Hyundai A-League kicks off LIVE tonight at 6.30pm on FOX SPORTS 1HD & FOX SPORTS 1

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KEEP ING UP W ITH COV IC

GOAL keeper ANTE Covic gives us a player’s perspective on the Western Sydney Wanderers with an exclusive column every single week

OUR WIN LAST SUNDAY against Perth was a performance we hadn’t put on the park for quite a few games, Popa

said it was our “best” performance in a long time.

The fi rst half we absolutely dominated and could’ve been 4-nil up and the game completely over.

We moved the ball at pace, couldn’t fault a player out there and it was one of our best overall performances.

3-1 was the result but I think it could’ve been a lot worse for Perth. It was very promising we did what we know what we’re capable of.

Popa’s been changing the squad over the last few weeks to try and get the best team out on the fi eld from what’s available.

We had fi ve regular players out through injury or suspension and Popa made the call to put Spiro in at defensive midfi eld goal, which I think worked a treat.

He’s a player that’s comfortable on the ball and brings a bit of stability there. He complemented Aaron Mooy who played, to me, his best game of the season.

Aaron was very dominant; he moved the ball around and really wanted the ball.

The players that came on that needed to do a job defi nitely did that job and I think that’s the positive side to Popa.

He’s not afraid to use the players available and give everyone a shot and expect them to come good for him.

It’s great a lot of players are getting match time and it’s a good headache for Popa to have.

We play the Jets this weekend in Newcastle who haven’t had the best record of late but we’re going to stay focused on what we do and try and get the job done.

The Jets have been looking for a win the last few weeks but you can look at it both sides.

People say they are on a roll and winning games with the mentality to win, and then if they are losing games people say they’re due for a win.

If you start analysing it too much it becomes a little bit pointless.

We have to make sure we are prepared, we play the game with intensity like we did against Perth and we study their game and fi nd the best way to bring them down.

We’re not worried about their recent form, all we’re concerned about is going there for the win.

I hope the supporters who make the trip up the F3 travel safe and bring their big, loud voices with them!

Do you have a question you would like Ante to answer in his column? Simply email news@westernweekender.com.au or write to Ask Ante, Suite 2, 42-44 Abel St, Jamisontown 2750.

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LAST WEEK ’S ACT ION

WANDERERS 3 PERTH GLORY 1

FOR THE FIRST TIME in most football fans’ memories, the Western Sydney Wanderers entered a Hyundai A-League

fi xture outside of the top two. The Central Coast Mariners had thumped the Newcastle Jets Saturday night to move into second; whilst the Wanderers’ nearest rivals Sydney FC absolutely crushed Melbourne Victory in a performance that will certainly have them seen as contenders if they’re in the mix come fi nals time. With all that being said, the Wanderers needed not just a win, but also a performance that sent a strong message to the rest of the league.

Whether they disagreed or not, they were certainly in a form slump coming into the clash with Perth Glory. The usual composure and dominance was missing in previous matches, and the Wanderers, possibly for the fi rst time since their inception, looked like a side that could be exposed.

On Sunday night however, the Wanderers looked back to their old self. They burst into life early, forcing Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic to make a few saves and even

having a shot cleared off the line by Perth defender Riley Woodcock.

Youssouf Hersi and Shinji Ono were up to their usual tricks, with the latter setting up Hersi with an exquisite fl ick. The marquee man was weaving through the Perth defence, and his creativity will be extremely missed when he departs.

The opening goal looked inevitable, and it was the Wanderers who always looked the most likely to break the deadlock. Matthew Spiranovic, who surprisingly started in the midfi eld, spotted Mark Bridge’s run down the left and the winger put the ball on a platter for Brendon Santalab who tapped home the opener. The Wanderers were fi rmly controlling the game and doubled their advantage soon after. Aaron Mooy won the verbal argument with Shinji Ono over who got to take the free-kick, and made no mistake as he watched his strike take a wicked defl ection into the corner of the net.

Early in the second half Perth stunned the crowd as an inch-perfect cross from Chris Harold found Shane Smeltz who fi nished brilliantly at the back post. A Mark Bridge penalty would ultimately seal the deal.

GOAL SCORER: AARON MOOY

WSW claim Glory

REVIEW BY JUSTIN TODD

WANDERWORLD | 9

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UPCOMINGMATCHESWanderers vs

Brisbane RoarPIRTEK STADIUM

FRIDAY, FEB 7 @ 7.30PM

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Newcastle JetsPIRTEK STADIUM

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Printed by: Spot Press Pty Ltd

Editor: Troy Dodds

Contributors: Nathan Taylor, Elisha Pearce, Adam Peacock, Melinda Jane, Justin Todd

Cover Photo: Aaron MooyPhoto - Melinda Jane

Sales Manager: Simon Gould 4722 2998

Wanderworld issue 15

LEGENDW Wins D Draws L Losses F Points For A Points Against GD Goal Difference Pts Ladder Points

A-LEAGUE LADDERPOS CLUB W D L F A GD Pts

1 Brisbane Roar 11 1 4 30 14 +16 34

2 Western Sydney Wanderers 8 5 4 20 16 +4 29

3 Central Coast Mariners 7 6 3 17 15 +2 27

4 Melbourne Victory 6 5 6 22 27 -5 23

5 Sydney FC 7 1 8 22 22 0 22

6 Adelaide United 5 6 5 24 22 +2 21

7 Perth Glory 5 5 6 16 17 -1 20

8 Newcastle Jets 5 4 7 15 20 -5 19

9 Wellington Pheonix 4 5 7 21 20 +1 17

10 Melbourne Heart 1 6 9 14 28 -14 9

10 | WANDERWORLD

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WANDERB ITS W ITH WALLY THE WANDERER

LUKE PRIDDIS

SPECULATION IS GROWING WHETHER star midfi elder Aaron Mooy will be a Wanderer next season. Hot off the heels

of Shinji Ono calling it quits, Mooy is the next big name that could also leave the Red and Black and head south to a rebuilding Melbourne Heart. There’s also talk the fair-haired 23-year-old could also fi nd his way up the M1 at Newcastle if things with the Heart and Wanderers don’t go to plan. My prediction is that with Shinji now gone for next season, the Wanderers will throw their money at the Australian representative and keep him on board next season but anything can happen in football and perhaps my prediction is just wishful thinking. Speaking on SBS’s ‘The World Game’ on Monday night, Mooy was rather coy on his plans for next season.

Still on the Melbourne Heart and last Thursday the FFA announced that they had approved that the Heart’s license will be acquired by English Premier League club Manchester City and its Australian partners. FFA CEO David Gallop said the acquisition of the Melbourne Heart license was a huge vote of confi dence in the future of the A-League.

The Western Sydney Wanderers National Youth League side narrowly edged out the Central Coast Mariners 3-2 on Australia Day. Two goals to midfi elder Kwabena Appiah, including the 89th minute game winner, was enough for victory. The Wanderers’ only other goal came from Nicholas Olsen in the 65th minute. The Wanderers sit in sixth spot and will play the Newcastle Jets this Sunday.

The Wander Women have failed to take advantage of a strong fi rst half, which included two goals, by falling to the Brisbane Roar 3-2 in the W-League last weekend. Down a player in the fi nal 15 minutes of the match, the Roar capitalised by scoring the game winner in the 82nd minute. Western Sydney’s goals came courtesy of Shawna Gordon (8’) and Michelle Carney (45+2’). The Wanderers remain in sixth spot and play Sydney FC this Sunday.

This week’s Wanderers super fan is Jackie Smidt! Jackie is huge fan of the Red and Black and loves getting dressed up in her stylish Wanderers outfi t. If you would like to be pictured in my column, send a pic of yourself in your Wanderers gear to news@westernweekender.com.au.

Mooy mystery grows: Where will he be next season?

WALLY the Wanderer has all the gossip on the Western Sydney Wanderers

WANDERWORLD | 11

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