With only three games left in the Wanderers Isuzu UTE A-League regular season, Johnny Koutroumbis and the Red & Black are playing for pride.
The Wanderers make the trip this weekend to Western Australia, to take on Perth Glory at HBF Park on Saturday night.
The Red & Black head into the fixture after a very frustrating result against Wellington Phoenix which saw nothing go their way.
“Going down 1-0 in Auckland wasn’t ideal for us. We thought we could really push for Finals and we believed that we could,” said Koutroumbis.
“Unfortunately, in Auckland the result didn’t go our way but to look at the positive side of things for majority of the game we were camped in their own half but we just didn’t take our chances.
“With two crossbar hits and a couple of offsides, it was just a game that didn’t go our way.
“Defensively, we were pretty sound in regards to watching the counter attack and we sorted everything at half-time so the second half was a lot better.”
The Wanderers are now heavily dependent on securing nine points in their last three games and results falling in their favour on the ladder for any hopes in the upcoming Finals Series.
“It makes it very hard for us to make Finals, we need results to go our way. When you’re relying on other teams to help you move up the ladder, it becomes very difficult,” explained Koutroumbis.
“I think the importnat thing now is that we play for pride, we play for the pride of ourselves, eachother, the badge and the fans.
“It’s been hard on everyone especially the fans.”
A string of away games at the end of the season will has seen the Wanderers travel to New Zealand last week, Western Australia this week, before a mid-week home match against Wellington
“It’s different to travel now. We had a conversation amongst ourselves in the team. Some of us travelled for the first time overseas in a really long time to Auckland so it was good to be part of the group,” explained Koutroumbis.
“Looking forward to Perth as well, they haven’t had a great season as well but I think it’s something to play for.
“I think we just have to go finish the season on a high.”
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Saturday 30 April 2022, 7:45pm
HBF Park
Watch the match live and FREE on Channel 10
