The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers were now gunning for the top of the Hyundai A-League table after beating title contenders Melbourne Victory in their own backyard, according to Assistant Coach Ante Milicic.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers were now gunning for the top of the Hyundai A-League table after beating title contenders Melbourne Victory in their own backyard, according to Assistant Coach Ante Milicic.
The rampaging Wanderers secured second position with a 2-1 away win and were now only one point behind the Central Coast Mariners after the competition leaders lost to Perth Glory 2-1 away.
The weekend-s results see the Wanderers five points clear in second, as third-placed Victory prepare to head to the Central Coast next week.
The Wanderers host Perth at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday, with the boys from WA looking rejuvenated under new coach Alistair Edwards.
Milicic said the win over Victory in front of more than 20,000 supporters gave the Wanderers plenty of confidence.
“Being away from home and playing a quality opposition in front of their fans was a big test for us and there was second spot on the line,” Milicic said.
“It was a terrific performance and to get the three points away from home and now to have won six in a row is quite pleasing.
“Every game is a big match and every team is alive in this competition and six in a row is nice but we will analyse this game now and see what we can do better.”
A resurgent Perth would not be a pushover, he said, and the team was keen to extend its six-match winning streak.
“Our focus is already on Perth now and we have them at home in front of our wonderful supporters so we are really looking forward to that challenge,” Milicic said.
“We are a new club so it is all records for us and records are nice and six in a row is something that we are proud of but this playing group is very hungry to extend that and we will do our best to keep this run going.”
With the Mariners faltering against last-placed Perth, Milicic said the Mariners were also in their sights.
“The Mariners have been the pace setters all year and they are a very strong side and we get to play them soon and if we do what we know we can do right and play to our strengths we think we can get as close as possible to the Mariners,” he said.
“We set high standards to what we do as a club from the coaching staff to the people in the office to the playing group and we believe in ourselves.
“We have achieved nothing yet but it is a good part of the season where you are in the final third and we are very happy where we are.
“Everything is possible in a one-off game. We have played them twice but we have not beaten them yet but we are getting better and improving and I am sure we will be prepared for that game when it does come around.”
