An Ian Crook inspired Wanderers took everything Kashima Antlers could throw at them before a storming last ten minutes saw the reigning Asian Champions take out an battling 3-1 win in Japan.
The Wanderers were sent out with Ian Crook in charge due to a touchline ban on Tony Popovic carried over from last seasons Asian Champions League campaign. An attacking and technical midfield triumvirate was given the nod, with Yojiro Takahagi, Kearyn Baccus & Nick Kalmar flanked by Shannon Cole & Mark Bridge, Juric the tip of the spear while Dean Bouzanis, Nickolai Topor-Stanley, Matthew Spiranovic, Yusuke Tanaka & Antony Golec lined up in the defensive third.
Bouzanis was called into action very early as the Japanese side launched a free kick into the box that deflected off a Kashima players chest, requiring Bouzanis to dive back on his line to keep his clean sheet alive. Yet another injury for the Wanderers to deal with occurred when Shannon Cole suffered a shoulder injury after falling badly while making a tackle, the defender come winger being swiftly replaced by Labinot Haliti. Both sides went into the break scoreless. The best chance of the half came to Kashima, a defensive mixup between Topor-Stanley & Bouzanis giving Shuto a sight on goal that he only managed to fire wide.
The game roared into life early in the second half, a long throw from Tanaka finding the head of Juric, his flick on found the swinging arc of Mark Bridge, and a desperate clearance from Genn Shoji sliced into his own net to open the scoring.
That lead only lasted 15 minutes. Topor-Stanley & Baccus together failed to clear their lines effectively and a lighting break down the right flank gave Fernandes Caio all the space he needed to deliver a cutback that Doi Shoma volleyed expertly past Bouzanis.
Just when it seemed like the Antlers would fire up and add to the domestic woes of Western Sydney, Takahagi popped up with his second goal for the club & a second assist on the night for Bridge, 5 minutes before the end of regulation Trifiro, Takahagi & Bridge combined to retake the lead. Bridge's shot on goal that might have been going just wide being turned in by the Japanese midfielder. Kashima appealed desperately for offside, but replays showed Takahagi was being played onside by his marker at the time of the pass and the goal stood.
Bridge sealed the win deep inside injury time, as the Wanderers killed the game off smartly, the high press forced an error, Bridge receiving the ball on the edge of the area. The all time leading goal scorer hitting a blackjack with his 21st goal for the club.
The Wanderers next match is the Sydney Derby, at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday the 28th of February.
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