Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
TONY Popovic believes the Wanderers are mentally tougher heading into this weekend's grand final than they were at the same stage last season.
A clinical 2-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday earned Western Sydney a place in their second grand final match in two years.
The fact that they triumphed over the team that beat them to the A-League title last season makes the achievement that much sweeter.
But coach Popovic believes his club's inaugural participation in the Asian Champions League has given them the strength to go a step further.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
Not only are the Wanderers challenging for the A-League title, but they are also Australia's last remaining team still involved in the continental competition.
"The Asian Champions League has maybe made us mentally tougher," Popovic said.
"We've always been mentally tough this group, but I think there's a real resilience about them.
"I'm happy for them, that they get another chance straight away — it's not easy to do that. Players can miss out on a grand final and youngsters can think they'll do it again, then their career is over and they haven't had another chance. These players get an opportunity one year later to play in a grand final again and this time we've got to perform better.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
"If we perform better I'm very confident that we give ourselves a good chance this time of holding up that trophy."
When Popovic saw Mark Bridge limp off the field with an ankle injury in the second half against the Mariners, he admits he began planning straight away for the grand final.
And while Bridge seems unlikely to recover in time for this weekend's match, Popovic believes his team is still in a healthier position than they were heading into last year's grand final.
"When you see Bridgey like that you've got to start thinking straight away," he said.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
"Maybe we've picked up one injury, but apart from one player we've got everyone ready.
"No suspensions — last year we had several players suspended, a couple of long-term injuries and a few didn't train for a couple of weeks leading into the grand final. This year everyone is available."
With the Wanderers one win away from becoming the A-League's biggest success story, Popovic is proud to see how far his players have progressed.
"These boys can handle big games and big pressure and it shows how far they've come," he said.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Grand final loss has Wanderers primed
Dengan url
http://sportifoclube.blogspot.com/2014/04/grand-final-loss-has-wanderers-primed.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Grand final loss has Wanderers primed
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Grand final loss has Wanderers primed
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar