Al-Hilal vs Western Sydney Wanderers 1/11/2014 8:30PM

we got this

Last game of the season.

Time to make history............... but **** it is going to be torture to watch!

So keen yet so not keen.

This is it everybody, this time we go into their backyard to go to battle for ACL Championship! This exact moment will be remembered for centuries and the hunger and determination will be shown, nobody on either side wants to give less than 100% since this crowns the champions of Asia! 

ACL final at the first attempt , Am I ******* dreaming or is this really happening ?

Time to make history............... but **** it is going to be torture to watch!

Time to make history............... but **** it is going to be torture to watch!

Every minute felt like an hour in the 2nd leg against Guangzhou, what is this going to be like?! I feel like I will need to do my own mental preparation just to watch it!

I'm probably going to die of heart failure come sunday. Heart attack if we have to hold on to the win and heartbreak if we god forbid lose

I'm probably going to die of heart failure come sunday. Heart attack if we have to hold on to the win and heartbreak if we god forbid lose

agreed.

No sleep all week, copious amounts of coffee, stress, anxiety, elation, stress, excitement, likely some less than healthy food options Saturday/Sunday ....... what could go wrong.  Might as well bring the defib with me.

How the hell am i supposed to concentrate at work for the next 2 days...

And Saturday will be the looooooooonnnnnnnnngest day ever.

Need to try and fit in a power nap in late arvo/early evening, but will be too psyched to sleep me thinks

The buildup is unbearable...so many things to consider, so many what ifs...I just want the game to start.

Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I think we'll have to battle the ref as well. He's just naturally gonna be somewhat biased in favour of the home team in front of 65k fans, not to mention their royal backers. 

To be anywhere near the final given that less than 3 years ago we had 3 players on our books is a monumental achievement...if the final whistle blows and we've won, well...I have no words. 

I've been on edge now courtesy of the WSW for five months. After the GF loss I didn't think we could survive Sanfrecce. 

I remember walking back to my hostel after the game in Brisbane and thinking 'imagine if we go on to win the Champions League' after this. 

But I'd be lying if I really thought we could do it, especially given that we had to travel to Hiroshima straight from there. I know we still have our toughest test ahead of us, but it's ******* amazing that in the time since that grand final, we've basically had a mini season of our own playing against and beating massive clubs while everyone else was playing each other in Townsville.

Crazy journey, the next few days are going to be torture.

Let's hope the pre season games in Abu Dubai and the Guangzhou away game have prepared the squad for this game.

WinOrLose

How do we think Popa will line up?? Go with the similar tactic and lineup in the first leg, grind out the game in the first half, when the game opens up bring on Tomi, Saba and Spira or is it just too risky to do this?

I also feel that the tactics of the Al Hilal coach are there for all to see, I can't see him doing much differently to the first leg. Spread the balls quickly to the wings, get the wing backs to get forward and cut in behind our wing backs to try get in behind to cross the ball. Will be interesting to see how long we can hold out for a goal and how long it takes for Al Hilal to panic and throws men forward desperately (that is when they looked dangerous when they threw men forward in the last 10). It will be key for us to get that away goal when the game opens up but hopefully we can hold out till 60mins because that it when I can see Popa making the subs. Spira to enter the frey only if either la roocca or poljak get a yellow card or if one of them looks a little tired. Santa to last as long as he can last out there!

In terms of the starting lineup, I predict the same as last week except a lot will depend on Santa, whether he is okay to start in the second leg but I definitely feel that he will be targeted for some treatment to test how long he can last in the match.

I am expecting a similar line up as in Ulsan when we has six full backs on the pitch. It worked a treat. We need to take control of the wings!

We can't afford to submit, so we should be looking to make them play our game.

The improvement in our structure when Tomi, Spira & Saba came on was immense & I'd be happy if Popa elected to start these 3 players in our spine.

This is the GF of our 2nd season & we may never have another opportunity to win this competition, well not in my lifetime anyway.

Game Plan

#kickittotomi

#score

#frustrate

#bringhomethesilverware

do they have a player that maybe we could "encourage" them to get a red card? a nutcase Berisha type or something

I am expecting a similar line up as in Ulsan when we has six full backs on the pitch. It worked a treat. We need to take control of the wings!

That was the best lineup in our ACL campaign IMO.

We played really well.

Alnasser fans welcome the wanderers

Watch "استقبال جماهير النصر Ù„Ùريق سيدني الاسترالي ÙÙŠ الر…" on YouTube - استقبال جماهير النصر Ù„Ùريق سيدني الاسترالي ÙÙŠ الر…:

70 hours, that is a looooong time to wait.

Please, don't bellive anyone trying to threat you.

Your fans will be more than welcome in Riyadh

We play in Asian competitions since more than 20 years, nothing happened to any of our opposeions fans

Best two teams of Asia, one of the best stadiums, ecxitment all around, it is goning to be a non forgetable night

Enjoy FOOTBALL

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Qi_X8iHk7Zw

 

I am expecting a similar line up as in Ulsan when we has six full backs on the pitch. It worked a treat. We need to take control of the wings!

 

That was the best lineup in our ACL campaign IMO.

 

We played really well.

 

 

Jason Al Trifiro still gets me every time!

Not sure i'd be starting this one with Saba. I think i'd be setting up a bit more defensively. Probably start with Sipra and Tommy. My concern would be if Tommy gets hurt and Santas not right we would end up with bridge or haliti up front - not the best in my view for this game if we need a goal late on.

Anyway i'm pretty sure poppas not looking for advice from me

I havent been able to sleep properly all week!

Then this morning I woke up from dreaming that we'd won the ACL, complete with images of our boys on the podium holding up the trophy & giant placard cheque of some sort, confetti everywhere....Literally had tears in my eyes when I woke up, I was that happy!

I CAN'T **** WAIT!

Whatever happens, thank you Western Sydney Wanderers for teaching me to dare to dream!

FYI, the referee for this match is:

Grant from Mythbusters!

Love

Alnasser fans welcome the wanderers

Watch "استقبال جماهير النصر Ù„Ùريق سيدني الاسترالي ÙÙŠ الر…" on YouTube - استقبال جماهير النصر Ù„Ùريق سيدني الاسترالي ÙÙŠ الر…:

This one is brewing very nicely. The club should ship a truck load of WSW kits over to the newly formed Riyadh branch of the RBB!

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/western-sydney-wanderers/western-sydney-wanderers-saudi-supporters-sabotage-alhilals-ticket-plan-20141029-11du3c.html

FYI, the referee for this match is:

 

Grant from Mythbusters!

 

The ref that gave Brazil all the hometown decisions vs Croatia in world cup.

 

 

I am expecting a similar line up as in Ulsan when we has six full backs on the pitch. It worked a treat. We need to take control of the wings!

 

That was the best lineup in our ACL campaign IMO.

 

We played really well.

 

 

 

Jason Al Trifiro still gets me every time!

 

They are Al Hilal.

We have got Al Trifiro.

  :meep:  

Normally I extrapolate from every situation (I was going to say 'position' but I know what some of you would think)!

However, with this game I dare not contemplate what might happen if we win the trophy - the consequences would be too significant and joyous that I dare not risk the disappointment.

All I can do is trust in Popa and hope that the boys will hold the ball far better than they did last Saturday. If they do this, and probably introduce each of Spiranovic, Saba and Juric a bit earlier, certain remarkable things might well happen.

I am sure of one thing though: we will all be proud of them and what they have achieved after that final whistle is blown. COYW!