The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have been beaten 2-1 by Tokyo Verdy at the Tama City Stadium in the final match of their tour of Japan and China.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have been beaten 2-1 by Tokyo Verdy at the Tama City Stadium in the final match of their tour of Japan and China.
Goals in quick succession to Verdy players Yoshina and Takahara sealed victory for the hosts, with Brendon Santalab scoring a consolation goal amidst a flurry of second half chances for the Wanderers.
WanderTour 2013 finished with a draw, win and loss but the experience for the side was invaluable in their preparation for the coming Hyundai A-League season and debut in the AFC Champions League 2014.
A slow start caused the Wanderers trouble, going down 2-nil following two quick fire goals to a feisty Verdy outfit.
But once the Red and Black kicked into gear their goal was rarely troubled again.
In the first half Juric, Beauchamp, Hersi and Bridge all had chances but could not find the back of the net. And in the second half the Wanderers took full control of the match creating a stream of chances but not the final result.
A 50th minute chance to Santalab hit the post following a sharp turn between two players and a shot that looked destined for the back of the net.
However it did not take long for Santalab to get his goal. Following some great lead up work from Mooy and Bridge, Santalab found himself open in the box and while his first attempt was blocked, he managed to squeeze his second attempt past the Verdy goalkeeper and into the net.
With Western Sydney Wanderers Head Coach Tony Popovic again using all 22-players the final 30 minutes saw the Wanderers roll over the Verdy side but without the finishes required and the game ended in defeat.
“This was a very valuable trip both on and off the pitch,” said Popovic. “The new boys got to know everyone and we were able to test ourselves in some tough conditions in preparation for the Hyundai A-League and the (AFC) Champions League.”
“We put ourselves through some tough travel, played in difficult conditions with high temperatures and strong opponents which will stand us in good stead for the season ahead”.
“We head back to Sydney now to play some fixtures closer to home starting next weekend (22 September) against Adelaide United at Centrebet Stadium and then Melbourne Victory in Hobart (29 September).”
For tickets to the Wanderers v Adelaide match at Centrebet Stadium visit Ticketek.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers return to Sydney on Saturday morning at 6.35am.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Santalab 56-)
Tokyo Verdy 2 (15- Yoshina / 18- Takahara)
12 September, 2013
Tama City Stadium
NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers starting line-up: 1.Ante Covic (20.Jerrard Tyson 46-), 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (15.Jake McGing 63-), 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP (Nicholas Olsen 63-), 6. Jerome Polenz (2.Shannon Cole 63-), 18. Iacopo La Rocca (7.Labinot Haliti 63-), 8.Mateo Poljak (23. Jason Trifiro 63-), 9. Tomi Juric (11.Brendon Santalab 46-), 17.Youssouf Hersi (14. Kwabena Appiah 63-), 19. Mark Bridge (12. Tahj Minniecon 63-), 22.Dean Heffernan (3.Adam D-Apuzzo 46-), 21. Shinji Ono (10.Aaron Mooy 46-)
Substitute not used: 16. Martin Lo
WanderTour 2013 – Japan | China
2-14 September 2013
4 September: Wanderers v Shimizu S-Pulse | Shimizu Nihondaira Stadium |2-2 (Juric 25-, Appiah 44-)
8 September: Wanderers v Guangzhou G+F | Sanshui Training Base | 10.00am local | 5-0 (Santalab 32-, Haliti 51-/58-, Hersi 68-/88-)
12 September: Wanderers v Tokyo Verdy | Tama City Stadium | 2-1 (Santalab 56-)
Western Sydney Wanderers travelling squad
1.Ante COVIC | 2.Shannon COLE | 3.Adam D’APUZZO | 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY | 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP | 6. Jerome POLENZ | 7. Labinot HALITI | 8. Mateo POLJAK | 9. Tomi JURIC | 10. Aaron MOOY | 11. Brendon SANTALAB | 12. Tahj MINNIECON | 14. Kwabena APPIAH-KUBI | 15. Jake MCGING | 16. Martin LO | 17. Youssouf HERSI | 18. Iacopo LA ROCCA | 19. Mark BRIDGE | 20. Jerrad TYSON | 21. Shinji ONO | 22. Dean HEFFERNAN | 23. Jason TRIFIRO | 24. Nicholas OLSEN