Western Sydney provided plenty of atmosphere to Saturday’s derby, which the Wanderers claimed bragging rights thanks to Tomer Hemed and Keanu Baccus.
Baccus celebrated wildly with the RBB after doubling Western Sydney’s lead early in the second half and he highlighted the importance of the fans as the Wanderers try to turn around their fortunes.
“Absolutely buzzing to get a win here. We needed it. Obviously a derby game is a big one and we produced,” said Baccus, whose Wanderers are now within three points of sixth-placed Sydney.
“I’ve been here a long time and only scored a few goals and the ones I do score I want to celebrate with them [the fans]. It’s all about them. We want to win for them.”
Baccus continued: “It’s massive when they’re here like this. We need them every week. It changes it for us. It’s a massive atmosphere. We need them. It’s part of the game, we’re so used to it, but we need them to keep coming.”
Network 10 analysts Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan were also very impressed with the atmosphere.
“You see the reaction of the players after the game,” Thompson said following the post-game scenes, which saw the Wanderers fans and players celebrating passionately.
“You see the interview with Keanu Baccus. He is a Western Sydney boy. He knows what it’s like when the crowd is there and is really supporting.
“I know we keep going back to the old cliché of the 12th man but we’ve been in football long enough to know that’s so important.
“Especially for Western Sydney fans and it’s great hear Baccus actually say we’re doing it for the fans. The more they keep doing that, the more fans will turn up.”
Milligan highlighted the magnitude of the fan turnout, not only to the Wanderers but the A-Leagues.
“It’s not just important for them,” he said. “Yes of course first and foremost for Western Sydney Wanderers but for the league as well. So, so important.”
