The Wanderers are set to hit the road for the first time this season, travelling across the Tasman to take on Auckland FC in Round 2 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
After an encouraging display in front of their home fans at CommBank Stadium, the Wanderers will be looking to build on the momentum from their 1-1 draw with Melbourne City.
The Red & Black showed plenty of promise in their season opener, particularly through new additions Kosta Barbarouses, Steven Ugarkovic, and Angus Thurgate, who each made an immediate impression in their first competitive outing together.
Barbarouses wasted no time announcing himself in Wanderers colours, opening the scoring in the 11th minute with a clinical finish against the reigning Champions.
It was a performance that reflected the team’s intent under head coach Alen Stajcic – organised, energetic and dangerous.
Auckland FC, meanwhile, began their campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
The New Zealand outfit showed defensive discipline but struggled to create clear chances in the final third, meaning this weekend’s clash will be another key test of their attacking sharpness.
For the Wanderers, the focus will be on maintaining their attacking rhythm and converting early opportunities into goals.
With their attacking unit beginning to gel and a strong defensive core behind them, Stajcic’s men will head into the fixture full of belief and determination to claim their first win of the season.
With both sides unbeaten, Saturday’s encounter in Auckland is shaping up as an intriguing battle but the Wanderers’ blend of experience, hunger and new-found cohesion could be the difference when the final whistle blows.
