The Wanderers head into the finals after narrowly missing out on the Premier’s Plate, and look primed for a second A-League title in four seasons.
Western Sydney will be particularly disappointed not to have finished on top of the table, after sitting up towards the summit for the majority of the campaign. But it is a fantastic achievement to end up in the top three after finishing second-last in the 2014-15 season.
They will enjoy a week’s rest as they secured their path straight through to a semi-final by finishing the regular season in the top two, and they will be extremely difficult to beat at Wanderland. With their home ground to undergo extensive renovations at the end of the season and home matches being switched to the Sydney Olympic Park stadiums, the club will want to see off their old stomping grounds in style.
Strengths
The Wanderers’ key strengths are in centre midfield and defence. Going into the finals, no one will fancy themselves against Topy Popovic’s men because they are so compact and difficult to break down, and they usually dominate possession because of their two Spaniards in holding-midfield, Andreu and Dimas. Captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley is a formidable rock at the centre of the backline, and Alberto has also been a solid signing. They have conceded the second-least amount of goals in the league, and this stat epitomises just how hard it will be to beat the Wanderers in the finals.
Andreu and Dimas, with their ability to dictate and control play from the centre of the park, will be vital if Western Sydney are to secure their second A-League title since their inception in 2012. The brilliant Spaniards bring attacking players such as Mitch Nichols, Romeo Castelen, Mark Bridge and Brendon Santalab into the game, and provide the catalyst for attacking momentum.
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The marauding runs of fullbacks Scott Neville and Scott Jamieson have been crucial all season, and their ability to deliver a final ball will pose a lot of headaches for opposition defences. In recent weeks, attacking-midfielders Nichols and Castelen have tucked in more centrally to open up more space for the full-backs to run down the flanks, which has worked brilliantly.
Another key strength for the Wanderers is the clear instruction they receive from manager Tony Popovic, and the way captain Topor-Stanley is able to marshal his troops and command orders from the centre of defence. This leadership and experience, with memories of an A-League title and an Asian Champions League title to call upon, will be of vital importance in the cut-throat environment of finals.
Finally, the impact of the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) as 12th man could be a factor for the Wanderers, and they have some of the most passionate and atmospheric supporters in the land.
Key Player – Romeo Castelen
This is a tough choice, as Bridge has had a hugely impressive season playing as a make-shift centre-forward. As has Santalab, who has mainly been utilised as a “super-sub” but has found the back of the net the last couple of weeks after being given rare starts. Nichols is also a contender because of his incredible work-rate and ability to create.
But it has to be Castelen, who is the real x-factor for the Wanderers. He has dominated the last couple of matches, albeit against lowly opposition, and always looks a constant threat with his pace and power.
The Dutchman scored twice against the Mariners a fortnight ago, and laid on two assists in the away win over Wellington last weekend.
Castelen is a player who has at times frustrated during his spell, often showing glimpses of his class and ability, but failing to build any consistency to his game.
But he looks to have found form at exactly the right time, and his ability to run at defenders at pace and finish with aplomb will cause a lot of headaches for opposition teams.
Recent Form
The Wanderers have won their last two matches, albeit against the two sides bringing up the rear of the table. But they have only lost two of their last eight games, so it can be said they are in fairly decent form.
Worryingly for Western Sydney though, they have lost to three of the other five finalists this season, namely Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar. They also recently played out a scoreless draw at home against fellow semi-finalist Adelaide United.
When it comes time for finals though, form goes out the window as the stakes get higher.
Finals Prediction
The advantage of the week off for both Adelaide United and Western Sydney could prove decisive in the final 30 minutes of next week’s semi-finals.
The Wanderers have the class and experience within their squad to go all the way this season, but this finals series is shaping up as the closest in A-League history.
Their excellent defensive record this season shows they will be extremely difficult to break down, and they should enjoy the lion’s share of possession through their dynamic Spanish duo in central-midfield.
One of the key reasons the Wanderers failed to bring home the Premier’s Plate was their inability to make the most of their opportunities in the final third. Finding an avenue to goal has not been a problem for Western Sydney this season, but they have just lacked in the clinical finishing department.
Putting a combined six goals past their opponents in the last two matches will surely help with their confidence, and going into the finals with relatively easy matches against the bottom two sides means they are fresh and primed for the challenge.
The Wanderers should win at home and get through to the Grand Final, and from there they look set to give the title a serious shake.
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