THE OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME FOR THE NRMA INSURANCE WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC THIRTEENTH EDITION | SEASON 2012/13 SUNDAY, 10 MARCH 2013 | ROUND 24 VS WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC BRACED FOR PHOENIX RISING WELCOME TO OUR NEW ADDITION BARRESI STAYING STRONG: LA ROCCA & BROCKIE OFFICIAL WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC PARTNERS CONTENTS CONTENTS WANDERER 03 WELCOME READY FOR WELLINGTON There is still plenty of respect for Wellington, despite their position on the Hyundai A-League ladder. S INCE YOU WERE 04 LAST HERE Two crucial wins have pushed the Wanderers to top of the table. 05 YOUNG TALENT TIME 05 IN WANDERLAND It might be strange timing for a new signing, but Josh Barresi is fitting right in. 03 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 07 Players TO Watch 06 Can you spot the five differences La Rocca vs Brockie - two in the photos of the Wanderers players with plenty of celebrating their goal against potential to change the match. the Central Coast Mariners. 08 Today’S Match 07 Can we hold to the top WANDERLAND NEWS position this week? 13 We value the services of our volunteers, we appreciate National YOUTH ADVertising ENQUIRIES 10 the community and we LEAGUE Match profile our success. For all advertising enquiries REVIEW please contact Corey Mouttou on 02 8602 6417, 0404 042 328, email A victory helped cap off the WESTERN SYDNEY [email protected] or end of the inaugural season. 14 WANDERERS FC Kelly Russell on 02 8602 6413, Partners 0431 404 521, email YES TO YIANNI [email protected] 11 Thanking our 2012/13 partners. National Youth League PHOTOGRAPHY captain Yianni Perkatis CAPTION CONTEST Front cover photograph courtesy of 15 Getty Images. All photography courtesy of showed great Western Caption the photo of Getty Images, Eric Berry and Che Taylor. Sydney values in his Youssouf Hersi for attitude at the Club. your chance to win. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR SEASON 2012/13 Go to wswanderersfc.com.au and click on Membership SEE YOU AT WANDERLAND Go to wswanderersfc.com.au 02 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC VS WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC WANDERER WELCOME READY FOR WELLINGTON Courtesy of Getty Images WANDERER WELCOME READY FOR WELLINGTON NOW IS NOT THE TIME will be well prepared for the game.” the Phoenix twice this season - both TO RELAX FOR THE NRMA The Wanderers have won an times in Wellington. The first time, in INSURANCE WESTERN incredible eight straight matches. It round nine on December 2, Wellington SYDNEY WANDERERS. is an A-League single-season record won 1-0. The second time, in round 16 and a share of the overall record. on January 13, the Wanderers won 2-0. Now is the time to go on with the Melbourne Victory won their last game Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Labinot job, because coach Tony Popovic and of the 2005-06 season and their first Haliti scored the goals that day, and his players know that if they slip up seven games of the 2006-7 season. Haliti was in the news against the between now and the end of the regular Popovic keeps getting asked Mariners last week when he produced season the Central Coast Mariners if the Wanderers risk becoming a clinical finish for the only goal of will be there to take advantage. complacent, and he keeps saying no. the game after Mark Bridge had sliced Entering this round, the Wanderers So far, he’s been right every time. the defence open with a perfect ball. were proudly sitting on top of the “That is something the media have “It was a fantastic move, a great goal A-League competition table after asked me for the last eight weeks,” he said. and a great finish,” Popovic said. beating the Mariners 1-0 last weekend, “Will they get complacent? Eight wins The Wanderers have got it and their opponents, the Wellington in a row shows they are not complacent. going on all over the field at the Phoenix, were in 10th and last place. “The Mariners are a great side, and we moment, starting with goalkeeper But that doesn’t mean the Wanderers can’t relax at all because if we don’t get the Ante Covic, who is making a habit just have to turn up to Parramatta results between now and the end of the of saving penalties this season. Stadium to win. Here’s a warning for you: season I’m sure they will be above us.” “He’s outstanding,” Popovic said. The last time the top team played the There is so much at stake for the “He’s right up there with the best bottom team, the bottom team won. It Wanderers, with four games to go ‘keepers in this league, that’s for sure. was only three rounds back, when Perth before the finals. First past the post Whenever a big game comes along, he Glory beat the Mariners 2-1 at home. brings with it two prizes - the Premier’s stands up tall. He’s got a real presence, “They certainly won’t be complacent Plate and what is, at this stage, the only and he’s a real leader, and we’re this week,” Popovic said of his players. guaranteed berth for an A-League team delighted to have him at our club.” “It doesn’t guarantee the result against in the Asian Champions League. Wanderers fans will echo Wellington, but I can guarantee they The Wanderers have already played those sentiments. WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC VS WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC 03 SINCE YOU WERE LAST HERE SINCE YOU WERE LAST HERE In the 43rd minute, Mark Bridge conditions at Bluetongue Stadium. tried his luck with his right boot It was a terrible night for Graham when he let rip a long range shot. Arnold’s men who seemed to get all Although it looked to trouble Vukovic, the decisions go their way but they he was eventually able to control the shot. could still not unsettle the visitors. Courtesy of Che Taylor Courtesy of Che The Wanderers went in to the First time head coach Tony Popovic sheds at half-time unlucky not to out foxed his friend and mentor with a have capitalised on the scoreboard. series of tactical masterstrokes including They earned their just reward substituting workhorse Dino Kresinger in the 57th minute when Mooy upfront for Haliti in 72nd minute and and Bridge linked up in a one- Shinji Ono for Aaron Mooy in the two which allowed Mooy to take 60th minute and both made important the shot from inside the box. contributions that changed the match. The shot was deflected off Haliti had an immediate impact and he the leg of Michael Thwaite but was soon played onto goal by a beautiful found the back of the net. Mark Bridge pass in the 81st minute. In the 67th minute, Mooy once again The finish was superb as he drove capitalised on a free kick, sending it long the ball across goalkeeper Mat Ryan and deep to the goal line but it wasn’t able and into the net to send the nine to find Topor-Stanley near the goal post. bays of red and black into raptures. Perth waited until the 81st minute The win in front of 18,721 for their best chance on goal, when inflicted the first loss home for the ROUND 22 VS a deflected shot from Nick Ward Mariners this season in 11 games. Perth Glory FC at surprised Ryo Nagai whose makeshift The Wanderers pressed up the Parramatta Stadium shot sailed over Ante Covic’s cross bar. middle and the Mariners relentlessly Western Sydney Wanderers 1 used their wing backs on the counter. The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney (Mooy 57) One of the softest penalties given this Wanderers beat a resilient and resurgent Perth Glory 0 year was awarded to the home team for Perth Glory 1-0 at Parramatta Stadium. a push on Patrick Zwaanswijk off the Midfielder Aaron Mooy’s first ever goal ROUND 23 VS ball during a corner in the 51st minute. for the Wanderers was a fitting reward for CENTRAL COAST MARINERS FC Up stepped goalkeeper Ryan, the club’s huge contingent of supporters. at BLUETONGUE Stadium whose woeful shot was easily saved The 11,772 who braved atrocious by Wanderers stopper Ante Covic. western Sydney weather sounded more The most amazing story in modern It marked the Mariners’ fourth like 20,000 and turned the occasion into Australian sporting history became even straight penalty failure. a non-stop musical and vocal carnival. more astonishing as the all-conquering Central Coast Mariners 0 Despite the slippery conditions, NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Western Sydney Wanderers 1 the Wanderers came out on the Wanderers beat the Central Coast (Haliti 81) front foot looking to attack. Mariners in their own backyard. Some skilful footwork from Iacopo Not only was it the first time the La Rocca in the seventh minute set-up Mariners have been beaten at home an opportunity for Joey Gibbs, who this season - they also relinquished first took a shot from the edge of the box position on the Hyundai A-League but ended up straight in the arms of table to the marauding Wanderers Perth goal keeper Danny Vukovic. and their imposing travelling army . Mooy and Shinji Ono took full In a season where Hyundai A-League advantage, threatening the Perth records are being broken every week goal with some cracking shots. - the Wanderers matched the most The best opportunity via a free impressive of them, by notching kick came in the 32nd minute, when an amazing eight straight wins.