Asian Champions League Final Preview: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Al Hilal

The Western Sydney Wanderers play host in their Asian Champions League Final fixture against Al Hilal at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Wanderers have defied the odds to get this far, as they have done since forming only two years ago. They topped Group H with four wins including a stirring 2-0 home win over 2012 ACL champions Ulsan Hyundai.

They then faced Group F runners-up Sanfrecce Hiroshima. After being 3-1 down after the first leg in Japan, the Wanderers were given no chance but were able to secure an incredible 2-0 home win that saw them progress on the away goal ruling.

Tony Popovic’s men were drawn against 2013 champions, Guangzhou Evergrande, one of the richest clubs in the world. It was a fiery first leg that saw two Guangzhou players sent off with their manager Marcello Lippi left furious. The Wanderers progressed through to the semi final after they managed to hold Guangzhou to 2-1 with Tomi Juric scoring the crucial penalty.

The Wanderers were then pitted against 2013 runners-up Seoul FC. The first leg was in the Korean Republic and the Wanderers were able to park the bus and get a goalless draw. This meant that Popovic’s team had to get a win in their own back yard.

Only three minutes in, Mateo Poljak was able to fire his shot from outside the box to put the Wanderers up 1-0. Former Sydney FC utility Shannon Cole secured the Wanderers progression to the final when his shot found the back of the net in the 65th minute.

Al-Hilal last won the Asian Champions League 14 years ago but they remain the most successful team in Saudi Arabia with the oil rich club having won the Saudi Pro League on 13 occasions.

Known as “the Blue Wave” they were able to secure top spot in Group D with only two wins. One of those was a resounding 5-0 over 2011 champions and Qatar giants, Al-Sadd.

In the Round of 16, Al-Hilal was drawn against Uzbekistan club, FC Bunyodkor. The Saudi giants had too much class for the Uzbek giants and were able to win 4-0 on aggregate seeing them through to the quarter finals.

Al-Hilal drew group opponents Al-Sadd and it was predicted that Al-Hilal would have too much for the side that they trounced in the group stages. Salman Al-Faraj scored their only goal of the two legs after 70 minutes but it was enough to see them through to the semi finals.

2003 champions Al-Ain awaited in the semi final who have this seasons Asian Champions League top scorer Asamoah Gyan in their ranks. The first leg was played in Saudi and Al-Hilal managed to score three goals in 10 minutes with a double to their talisman Nasser Al-Shamrani to win the match 3-0. The second legs first goal came in the 10th minute with Lee Myung-Joo pulling Al-Ain back into the tie before Nasser Al-Shamrani scored a goal in the 66th minute that killed off the match. Al-Hilal progressed to the final with a 4-2 aggregate win.

Form Guide: Western Sydney Wanderers: (L L W D L). Al-Hilal: (L W W D W)

Western Sydney Wanderers (probable): Covic; Mullen, Spiranovic, Topor-Stanley, Golec; Saba, Poljak, La Rocca; Castelen, Juric, Bridge

Al-Hilal (probable): Al-Sudairy; Al-Shahrani, Kwak, Digao, Al-Zori; Neves, Al-Faraj, Al-Abid, Pintilii, Kariri; Al-Shamrani

Eyes on… Nikolai Topor-Stanley: The monster at the heart of the most rigid defence in Australia. Topor-Stanley has been one of Popovic’s only ever presents throughout the club’s short but illustrious history. Western Sydney looked abysmal without him when the shipped four goals against Melbourne Victory a fortnight ago.

His leadership at the back will be vital if the Wanderers are to keep the Saudi giants. “Toppa’s” presence in the centre of defence is similar to former Adelaide United centre back Sasa Ognenovski who was a key figure in their Asian Champions League run back in 2008.

Thiago Neves (Al Hilal): There’s something about a sub 6ft Brazilian playmaker that makes any football lover pur. 29-year-old Neves is capped seven times for Brazil and was resigned by Al-Hilal from Brazilian club Fluminense for his second stint at the Blue Wave. In his two stints combined he has over 60 appearances and averages a goal every two games.

The former Hamburg playmaker has four goals in this Champions League campaign and his partnership with Saudi striker Al-Shamrani will be seen as Al-Hilal most potent with the little Brazilian being the main supply line for Al-Shamrani who is the Champions Leagues second highest scorer with 10 goals. Popovic will look to mark Neves out of the match.

Prediction

Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Al Hilal

Finals played over two legs are rare in football but as in any two-legged football tie the advantage is always to the team that is able to play in front of their home crowd second, in this case Al-Hilal. Reghecampf is not likely to sit and look for a narrow one goal victory as Asian football sees the Wanderers as minnows in comparison to Al-Hilal.

The Wanderers have defied the odds and it is incredible that they are here. Rocky Balboa like, Cinderella story call it what you like, it is a god damn miracle. Popovic won’t change what has brought them so much success, solid at the back and hit them on the counter attack.

The main factor in this match will be whether Al-Hilal can get that away goal which will give them a massive upper hand. Popa’ has done it before so he can do it again.

 

FTSAUS Fact 

• Over the entirety of the Champions League Al-Hilal hold a +12 goal differential compared to Western Sydney’s +8
• Western Sydney’s top scorer in the Champions League is shared between four players; Tomi Juric, Brendon Santalab, Labinot Haliti and Shannon Cole, all have three goal each.

 

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