Head coach Carl Robinson on the quick turn around to tonight’s FFA Cup match against APIA Leichhardt in the Round of 16.
The Red & Black will be heading into the match after a spirited performance on Friday night against Wellington Phoenix.
The match saw the Wanderers secure their first three points of the season, a result which saw Wellington also defeated for the first time in over 10 matches.
“(We had) a great attitude and good spirit between the boys,” said Robinson.
“I thought we hung in when we needed to, I thought we played our football when we needed to.
“It was a tight game, the first goal in any A-League game is the most important goal. Lucky enough we were able to get that and then we kicked on from that moment.
“But it was good three points away from home against a team that has not been beaten for nearly 10 games or so.”
The Wanderers have had just three days to turn around for tonight’s FFA Cup fixture with Robinson expected to make some changes to the starting XI.
“We were back to work straight after the result on Friday,” said Robinson.
“We got a few bumps and bruises, a few little niggles which will probably hinder some players but I’ve got confidence in the group.
“Other players will step up, it’s the next man in mentality attitude and if you get your chance, you gotta take your chance.
“So there will be a number of changes but there still will be some really good players on the field that can hopefully go win the game.”
APIA Leichhardt took their Round of 32 match to extra time, securing a dramatic 3-0 win over Capital Football outfit Cooma Tigers.
It was a Cup tie where the scoreline did not go close to telling the full story, with APIA pushed to their limits by a stubborn, nine-man Tigers side.
It comes as no surprise then that Robinson and his men are expecting a very difficult hitout at Leichhardt Oval.
“(APIA are) very organized, very drilled and they have a good defensive structure about them,” said Robinson.
“Watching that game (Round of 32) it made me tired watching the game so it must have been very training for them – the 90 minutes and extra time.
“But it was a great result for them, a thoroughly deserved result and we’ve got to be very careful with their key personnel.
“They’ve got some key players in key areas that we know are very dangerous so we will have to be switched on with that. But it will be a really good test for us.”
FFA Cup 2021 Round of 16
APIA Leichhardt v Western Sydney Wanderers
Date: Tuesday, 7 December
Time: 7:30pm AEDT kick-off
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Broadcast: Live & free on 10 Play
Tickets:Buy here
