Every football match is important, but there was something different about last night’s match at CommBank Stadium between the Wanderers and Melbourne Victory.
Perhaps it was the raucous atmosphere created by the Red and Black Bloc from before kick-off with their spectacular gladiator-inspired tifo, maybe it was the fact the Wanderers were chasing four straight wins for the first time in a decade. Or it could have been because two of the biggest clubs in Australia were both fighting for a spot in the top four.
Whatever it was, by the end of the 90 minutes – as the Wanderers celebrated a remarkable comeback win – there was a pervading sense this season for the Red and Black is also beginning to feel like something different.
There have been good runs of form in seasons past and even in the current campaign, but there is something special about this run of form, which dates back to the end of January.
At that point, the Wanderers had just suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Auckland, leaving them in eighth and at something of a crossroads in their season.
The equation was clear to the Wanderers, they needed to find a winning formula and fast.
Whilst their next match – a narrow win over Brisbane – was a gritty and unspectacular affair, it highlighted a mental toughness and how the Wanderers showed a willingness to do the dirty work to see out matches.
Their next match in the Sydney Derby then showed their ability to rip defences apart on the counter-attack, and whilst it ended in a draw, they learnt valuable lessons they have taken with them in the rest of the season.
On that occasion, they were undone by a late comeback from their rivals, and it taught them the game is never over until the final whistle goes, and they have used that mantra to full effect since then.
Three of their four wins have been come from behind victories, with the win against Melbourne seeing them 2-0 down after 41 minutes.
It was telling that there were no disagreements or arguments on the pitch when the second goal went in, instead they rolled up their sleeves and got a crucial goal just before the half-time break, giving them the springboard for their amazing revival in the second half.
The win over Melbourne means the Wanderers have now recovered 14 points from losing positions, the second highest in the league.
What is also evident is a togetherness within the playing squad, with every player from goalkeeper to striker willing to put their bodies on the line for the team.
It was shown in Alex Bonetig and Anthony Pantazopoulos’ goalline clearances early in the second half, by the work rate of Josh Brillante in midfield till the last second, and it was even illustrated by marquee man Juan Mata putting in the hard yards defensively deep into stoppage time.
There is resilience in this Wanderers side, who went through a massive injury crisis at the start of the year that saw wingers playing at fullback, centre midfielders at centre back, and Dylan Scicluna’s breakout season heartbreakingly ended by injury.
They have embodied the fighting spirit of Western Sydney as a whole, fighting for every point, for every goal in their hunt to return to the Finals.
Or perhaps it is the gladiator spirit, where every match is a fight to the death to prove the doubters wrong and return the club to the promised land.
The season is still far from over, with six crucial league matches to come, but as the Wanderers players were serenaded by the RBB under the lights of Parramatta, the message to the rest of the league was clear: ‘are you not entertained?’
Wanderers fans will have belief the entertainment will continue, and have faith that the Red and Black have once again become the club that fears none and conquers all.
