Tony Popovic

Liverpool FC Legends v Australian Legends

January 7, 2016 by Kevin Moody Leave a Comment

Sydney football fans will be treated to an exhibition match featuring Liverpool FC Legends taking on the Australian Legends team. Liverpool will be led by Gerad Houillier, who coached the club to success in the FA Cup, English League Cup and the UEFA Cup in the early 2000’s. The Australian Legends side will feature former Socceroos Robbie Slater, Tony Popovic and Brett Emerton among others.

Former captain Steven Gerrard will turn out for Liverpool, alongside the likes of Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Ian Rush.

Liverpool FC Legends v Australian Legends

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New-look Wanderers open A-League season

October 8, 2015 by Kevin Moody

Western Sydney Wanderers fans display their scarves

The RBB will be back out in force as Western Sydney Wanderers open the new A-League season

The 2015/16 A-League season kicks off with Western Sydney Wanderers hosting Brisbane Roar at Pirtek Stadium. Both sides are looking to put difficult campaigns behind them and go into the new season with a fresh look as they seek to reclaim their places at the top end of the table.

For the Wanderers there are similarities with the scenario they faced in their debut season in 2012. Coach Tony Popovic has turned over almost an entire squad of players during the off-season following their failure to make the finals. If Popovic can instill the same fighting spirit that took his inaugural squad to the Grand Final, and without the considerable disruption of an Asian Champions League campaign, the Wanderers have the potential to be contenders once again.

New marquee signing Federico Piovaccari will be looked upon to fire in the goals that were desperately lacking last season. Creativity will come from experienced A-League duo Mitch Nicholls and Dario Vidosic, while Spaniards Andreu and Dimas Delgado will anchor the midfield.

John Aloisi has been given the chance to resurrect his coaching career with the Roar after a difficult spell with the then Melbourne Heart. They are also looking to move on from a disappointing season that saw the three-time Premiership winners only scrape into the finals as a result of sanctions handed down to Perth Glory.

Brisbane will go into the opening round with a number of key men unavailable. Shane Stefanutto, Henrique, Jean Carlos Solarzano and Luke De Vere are all injured, while skipper Matt McKay is on international duty.

With the optimism of a new look and a visiting Brisbane outfit missing some of their stars, the Wanderers have an ideal opportunity to win an opening round match for the first time in their history. Pre-purchased tickets include return travel via public transport to Pirtek Stadium.

Thursday 8th October, Pirtek Stadium Parramatta 20:00

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar

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Reversal of fortunes for A-League Grand Finalists

December 3, 2014 by Kevin Moody

Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar will face off in a Grand Final replay tonight at Pirtek Stadium. Just seven months after meeting in the decider at Suncorp Stadium it is amazing to now find the clubs at the foot of the A-League ladder with just one win between them.

Tonight’s game is the final game in a run of four straight at home for the Wanderers. After three successive draws they will be disappointed if the return on those four games is four points or less.

Considering their success since their foundation in 2012 it is incredible that the Wanderers are without a win after seven games. Playing in front of their passionate home fans has been a strength, but a fourth game at Pirtek Stadium without a win could take some of the fear factor away.

The first half of the Sydney Derby showed how well the Wanderers can play when their attackers get their combinations working. However, their failure to convert chances cost them as a sharp Sydney FC breakaway forced them to share the points.

There were positive signs from star recruit Nikita Rukavytsya, who demonstrated that he is beginning to have an impact on his team. The Wanderers have had to rethink their attacking strategy following the departures of Shinji Ono and Youssef Hersi.

Wanderers fans will at least have the opportunity to toast more glory in Asia. Earlier this week they were named the AFC Club of the Year, while Tony Popovic also received the Coach of the Year award.

The Roar have been dealt a major blow with Thomas Broich undergoing ankle surgery and ruled out for six weeks. Goal scoring has been an issue for them so far, and the loss of their key playmaker will heap further pressure on others to make a step up.

Wednesday 3rd December, Pirtek Stadium Parramatta

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar

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A-League Derby becoming hottest rivalry in Sydney

October 18, 2014 by Kevin Moody

For the third time in a year the A-League Sydney derby has sold out Allianz Stadium. Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers fans have again shown that this rivalry is gearing up to be the hottest in any code in the city.

Although both sides are looking for a first win of the new season, it is local bragging rights that is of most importance in this fixture, especially for the fans. The immediate success of the Wanderers in the first two years of existence has stoked the flames underneath Sydney FC supporters, during which time they have also had to witness their own club in regular turmoil.

Under new coach Graham Arnold there is greater expectation among Sky Blues fans. The 1-1 draw in the opening round was not a bad result, given the number of attacking players who were unavailable and that Melbourne City’s only goal was scored by a world class striker.

Marc Janko will be available for Sydney FC after he was sent off on international duty for Austria. It is also worth noting that in the same game he was fouled for a penalty and then scored the winner with a trademark powerful header.

Janko may not carry the name of other marquee men to have played for the Sky Blues, but it looks as though he has arrived at a stage of his career where he can provide a big impact. His goal scoring record is impressive, including a 39 goal season with Salzburg helping to secure an Austrian Bundesliga.

The Wanderers looked unusually suspect at the back in round one against Melbourne Victory. This was largely a result of being without their two first choice centre backs, and while Matthew Spiranovic is still injured, Nikolai Topor-Stanley is available after international duty. The absence of Tomi Juric was also felt at the other end of the pitch.

Tony Popovic must keep his side fully focussed on the derby, despite the game coming just seven days before the first leg of the Asian Champions League final. The Wanderers have the edge in the overall head to head in derbies so far, but will need to cut out the type of careless defensive errors that handed them a 3-1 loss the last time the two sides met at Moore Park.

Saturday 18th October, Allianz Stadium Moore Park

Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers

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Wanderers out to silence Roar as top two clash

February 7, 2014 by Kevin Moody

Western Sydney Wanderers host Brisbane Roar at Pirtek Stadium as the top two sides on the A-League ladder go head to head

The top two sides on the A-League Ladder go head to head on Friday night as Western Sydney Wanderers host Brisbane Roar in a replay of last season’s Grand Final Qualifier. The Roar go into the match with a seven point lead over the Wanderers. A win for the home side will set up an exciting fight for the minor premiership, while a Roar victory will surely set them on the way to the title.

The Wanderers have been inconsistent of late, which is not something that could have been said of them at any stage of the previous 12 months or so. Having got themselves into a winning position against Newcastle last week they let the lead slip, which will have hurt a team who have always built their game around a strong defence.

Matthew Spiranovic has played in midfield recently but might move back to the centre of defence against the Roar, meaning club captain Michael Beauchamp may be forced out of the side again. Beauchamp is becoming something of a focal point in regards to Tony Popovic’s rotation policy, and the skipper himself has admitted publically that he has found the situation challenging – particularly as he is out of contract in May.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of other key players such as Yousouf Hersi and Aaron Mooy, and Shinji Ono has already announced his departure at seasons end. Popovic may well find that maintaining team spirit is the most difficult obstacle to overcome as his side look for more silverware this season

Brisbane skipper Matt McKay is still injured and will miss this crucial showdown at Pirtek Stadium. Steven Lustica has returned to the Roar after a short spell in Adelaide, and may find himself pushed straight into the squad. The Roar have not been at their best in their last two games but showed fighting spirit to come from behind in both to win. They will need to demonstrate those qualities again if they are to prevent the Wanderers taking a bite out of their lead on the table.

Friday 7^th February, Pirtek Stadium Parramatta 19:30

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar

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Wanderers aim for Australia Day Glory

January 26, 2014 by Kevin Moody

Western Sydney Wanderers will hope to give the RBB plenty to cheer on Australia Day

Australia Day A-League action this year sees Western Sydney Wanderers host Perth Glory at Pirtek Stadium. It is nearly a full year since the two sides last met in the A-League, and a lot has happened to both clubs in those 12 months.

The Wanderers find themselves in a situation that they have not really been in before now. They have lost three of their last four games, and while they lost a few games at the beginning of their inaugural season, at that time there was no expectation of success from a new club. Now as defending minor premiers there is that added pressure and scrutiny, and the Wanderers will hope to silence their critics with a return to winning ways.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Matthew Spiranovic look to have shaken off injuries and should take their place at the heart of the Wanderers defence. However, Jerome Polenz and Mateo Poljak will not be available, and Tomi Juric is also suspended.

Ironically coach Tony Popovic is now being questioned about his rotation policy at a time when most of his changes are enforced. It is a policy that he has employed from the very beginning with the Wanderers, and there didn’t seem to be many questions asked of it when they were winning.

Perth’s recent good form has come on the back of a run of clean sheets. William Gallas and Shane Smeltz came off the bench in their last game as they make returns from injuries, and could well be handed starts at Pirtek Stadium.

Sunday 26^th January, Pirtek Stadium Parramatta 19:00

Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory

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Wanderers and Sydney FC continue battle in A-League Sydney derby

January 11, 2014 by Kevin Moody

Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC continue their battle to call this city their own in the A-League Sydney derby

The second A-League Sydney derby of the season comes to Parramatta on Saturday night as Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC continue their battle to call this city their own. After a 2-0 win at Allianz Stadium in October the Wanderers currently have bragging rights, but the Sky Blues will head across town intent securing their first win in the derby in sixteen months.

The Wanderers have a full squad to select from, giving coach Tony Popovic the opportunity to bring fresh legs into his side. With another tough game in Melbourne on Tuesday evening, their starting line up is likely to show considerable change from the one that suffered a shock loss on New Year’s Day against Wellington – the Wanderers’ first defeat at Pirtek Stadium in a year.

Sydney FC are missing a host of players, with Richard Garcia this week added to an injury list that already includes the likes of Joel Chianese, Rhyan Grant and Peter Triantis. Nick Carle is also unavailable through suspension after picking up a red card against Adelaide, although defender Seb Ryall is back in the squad after missing the trip through injury.

Frank Farina has experienced options to bring into midfield to replace Carle. Brett Emerton, Terry McFlynn and Matt Thompson were all non-starters against Adelaide, and another spot in the starting line up is up for grabs after Hagi Gligor departed for international duty.

In the short history of the Sydney derby there has yet to be a home win. Sydney FC will be hoping to extend that tradition, at a venue where they occasionally played home games prior to the inception of the Wanderers. Including these games Sydney FC have not yet lost a match in Parramatta.

There has been plenty of unwanted attention on the A-League after recent incidents involving fan behaviour inside and outside of stadiums. Let’s hope this derby passes without incident off the pitch, and that the action on it cements its place as one of Sydney’s major sporting events.

Saturday 11^th January, Pirtek Stadium Parramatta 19:45

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC

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Wanderers aiming for return to top spot

November 16, 2013 by Kevin Moody

Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to reclaim their place at the top of the A-League ladder when they take on Melbourne Victory on Saturday night. With current leaders Brisbane Roar not in action until the following day, the Wanderers have the chance to put a two point gap between themselves and the Queenslanders.

The Wanderers look to be getting into getting their stride with three wins in a row and the only unbeaten record remaining in the league. However, the depth of their attacking stocks will be put to the test as they attempt to continue this good run. Youssef Hersi is still yet to recover from a foot injury, and Tomi Juric has been ruled out for possibly up to a month after suffering a knee injury last week against Melbourne Heart.

It will be a big loss for the Wanderers if their front man is out even for a short spell. An out and out goal scorer was arguably all that was missing from their side last year, and sometimes you need a player who can change a game the way Juric did against Adelaide two weeks ago. Tony Popovic will also have to decide whether to bring captain Michael Beauchamp back into the side after handing a debut to Matthew Spiranovic last week.

Melbourne Victory are coming to terms with the departure of Ange Postecoglou, but have provided great entertainment recently having been on both ends of 3-2 score lines in their two games so far under Kevin Muscat. The Victory are heading to Pirtek Stadium without Mark Milligan and Kosta Barbarouses who are on international duty. Playmaker Gui Finkler may therefore make his first start in the A-League since suffering a serious knee injury towards the end of last season.

Saturday 16^th November, Pirtek Stadium Parramatta 19:45

Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory

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