The Wanderers are crowned Champions of Asia. (Getty Images)
Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers lift the AFC Champions League trophy. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
The Western Sydney Wanderers have proved they are more than a small club after being crowned champions of Asia early Sunday morning.
It was the most anticipated game in the club’s short history, and a gutsy effort to hold out Al Hilal in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final saw them win the title with a scoreless draw.
VITOR SABA of the Wanderers competes with SALMAN AL FARAJ of Al Hilal. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Not only have they made history by being the first Australian club to win the Asian title, the Wanderers will now go even further and play Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul in the first round of the Club World Cup in Morocco next month.
A delighted coach Tony Popovic said the game was everything you’d expect from a final.
The Wanderers celebrate after winning the AFC Champions League 2014 final. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
“It was difficult. They’re a very good team; they had fantastic support,” he said.
A defiant display from Popovic’s side, highlighted by a heroic late save by Ante Covic to maintain another clean sheet, secured a remarkable success for the A-League side in its first crack at the competition.
“It’s a special group to coach. They’ve made history. It will sink in in a few days,” Popovic said.
“I’m very proud of the players.”
Al Hilal players and fans react to Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
The Wanderers celebrate their win with the few fans that travelled to Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
In just their third season, the Wanderers lifted the trophy after Tomi Juric’s goal in the first leg at Parramatta last weekend proved the difference between the teams after 180 enthralling minutes.
An army of fans in Parramatta erupted in cheers and tears at the final whistle.
A Wanderers fan watches the Asian Champions League final match in Parramatta. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Fans began arriving at Parramatta’s Centenary Square about 3am to watch the final on three large screens.
Parramatta explodes into life after Western Sydney Wanderers win
By half-time, the crowd had swelled to more than 4000 people.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd said the Wanderers’ win was “a true indication of what western Sydney is”.
“For so long, everyone’s put the boot into western Sydney but it just shows with commitment, dedication and hard work we can rise to the top.”
source: daily telegraph.com
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