The Western Sydney Wanderers are 90 minutes away from a Champions League title after a 1-0 win over Al-Hilal in front of a record crowd at Parramatta Stadium.
In what will surely go down as the most magical night in this young club’s history the Red & Black look composed, confident and in control as a Tomi Juric strike gave them a deserved lead.
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Ante Covic too played a key role with the clean sheet ruling out any chance of Al-Hilal taking out the tie on away goals.
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A resolute defence was rarely tested but Covic was up to the task whenever a question was asked of him, again proving that he truly does get better with age.
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Even so, it was Juric who got the loudest cheer from the 20,053 capacity crowd.
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With barely an empty seat to be seen, Juric’s introduction as a substitute was greeted with an ovation usually reserved for rock stars and the volume only increased with every touch he took thereafter.
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While Western Sydney looked in control, Juric gave them the scoring threat they were perhaps lacking and it was he who expertly tucked away a brilliant Golec cross that sent Wanderland into mayhem.
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Since day one of this competition the Red & Black have been underdogs, only once heading into a match with favouritism and in typical Western Sydney fashion the goal not only put the Wanderers ahead but put Western Sydney as a region in the Asian spotlight.
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It could have got even better too as Juric seemed to be picking apart the Al-Hilal defence with ease, strolling past defenders and finding space.
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The post though denied a second goal on one of those runs while the keeper prevented another when the two other substitutes, Vitor Saba and Matthew Spiranovic combined to create a chance for the latter.
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And while overall victory may still be 90 minutes away, tonight was one of Australian football’s proudest moments.
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A club for the fans and by the fans has taken it to the best that East and West Asia has to offer and in the process, gone home victorious.
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A stadium wrapped in Red & Black, rocking from start to finish is only part of the story of a Club that has touched so many and achieved so much in such a short amount of time.
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Watch this space ladies and gentleman.
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This Is History.