Two weeks into the Western Sydney International Airport (WSIA) Wanderers World Cup, the competition is well underway, with four rounds played and each of the four pools taking shape at Wanderers Football Park.
The community competition, which sees teams take on the identity of nations from across the globe, has brought together players and supporters from Western Sydney’s many cultural communities for a tournament that captures the same spirit found on the terraces at the FIFA World Cup.
With most sides having played four of their pool matches, the picture in each group is starting to sharpen.
Pool A
Barbie Ballers (Sweden) have been the standout side, winning all four matches to sit clear at the top with a goal difference of plus 12. Deloitte (Columbia) sit second and have posted the best goal difference in the pool at plus 13, while Jai Rose FC (Spain) round out the top three unbeaten in three. By Modern (England) and Aussie (Australia) remain firmly in contention as the pool continues to tighten. Fried Chicken FC (France) will be looking to build some form having not yet found a win.
Pool B
Pool B has produced the tightest race so far, with BBC Ballers (Argentina) and Afghan-Reclink Aus (Austria) both perfect through four rounds. REAL Bosh (Brazil) sit close behind on nine points, while Bosnia (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Aus-Reclink Aus (Jordan) — who have a match in hand are also well placed. Spaghetti FC (USA) and Bathla (Uruguay) will each be chasing a first win as the pool continues.
Pool C
Class On Grass (Scotland) have been the form side of the tournament, winning every match and boasting the best goal difference of any team across the four pools at plus 14. Nepal (Senegal) and Portugal have kept pace in second and third, each unbeaten aside from a single loss, with Melrose Est Agnt (Ivory Coast) close behind. StreetVerse (Iran) and Favelas (Ecuador) remain in the mix, while MT United (Jordan) still have matches in hand that could shake up the standings.
Pool D
Next Please (Norway) lead Pool D unbeaten through four games, though Seb FC (Algeria) have been just as dangerous in front of goal, matching them on goal difference at plus 14 from three wins and a draw. Nestory’s Bunda (Switzerland) sit third and remain firmly in the mix, with Puma Pants (Croatia) not far behind. WeBuild 1 (Germany), 7Stars (Egypt), DondeEstaLaLeche (Saudi Arabia) and Wallahbies (Paraguay) are all still chasing the points that could turn their tournament around.
What’s next
There’s plenty of pool play still to come, with every side still able to press for points across the remaining rounds at Wanderers Fives.
