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  • Wanderers Secure Premiership With 3-0 Win Over Newcastle!

    mack

    By mack

    The Western Sydney Wanders have secured the A-league Premiership in their inaugural season following a dominant 3-0 win over the Newcastle Jets in Newcastle. A Mark Bridge brace and a Rocky Visconte thunderbolt securing 1st place at the end of the A-League Regular season.

    The Wanderers have finished their first season in the A-League in 1st place, with 18 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses after 27 games, a goal difference of +20 and a total point tally of 57. Needing just a draw to secure the title the Wanderers took all three points & the Premiership in assertive fashion. Manager Tony Popovic sprung a surprise with his selection, 19 year old Yianni Perkatis making his A-League & Western Sydney Wanderers debut in place of Jason Trifiro who was fatigued after playing a full 90 minutes in the previous weeks fixture.

    In front of the 10,000 travelling supporters who invaded Newcastle, the Wanderers title triumph was on track from the 5th minute. Tarek Elrich's diagonal cross found Labinot Haliti, who stretched well to knock the ball across the face of goal. Dino Kresinger craftily dummied to confuse Newcastle keeper Mark Birighitti, Mark Bridge benefiting to tap into an open net from point blank range to score his 10th goal of the season.

    With Newcastle having very little of note in attack, Western Sydney double their advantage with half an hour played. Nikolai Topor-Stanley as he's always been this season was in perfect position to clear, an acrobatic over the shoulder effort that flew over half-way. The ball fell fortuitously toward Kresinger who towered over his marker to flick the ball past the last line of defence into the path of Bridge who made a perfectly timed run. With front position over the final Jets defender he only had to beat the keeper, it wasn't the prettiest effort but it dribbled over the top of Birighitti and Bridge shielded the ball as it fell over the line.

    Emile Heskey did little of note in the first half, his only major impact being knocking Ante Covic over as the keeper grabbed a ball in the air, Heskey received a yellow card for the woeful challenge and was lucky to escape a second for dissent.

    Newcastle came out in the second half playing in a formation with 3 at the back, allowing more numbers in attack. The Jets slowly reclaimed the momentum of the match. Adam Taggart had the best of the Newcastle chances, a Topor-Stanley and Heskey challenge resulted in the ball floating over the last line of defense for Western Sydney. Taggart used his pace and steeled himself for a first time volley from the edge of the area. The shot beat Covic but was slightly off target, hitting the post and rebounding away.

    After suffocating the Newcastle challenge, Western Sydney took complete control of the match. Bridge ran past the Jets defence to run onto a flick on from Kresinger, he chested the ball down but his half-volley flashed wide. The miss didn't cost the Wanderers at all. On 79 minutes Jason Trifiro hit an accurate corner out to Rocky Visconte on the edge of the area. The first touch of Visconte put the ball out in front of his stride, the second setup a shot on his left, and the third touch was missile strike that left Birighitti with no chance despite his full length dive.

    Even at 3-0 up Western Sydney refused to take their feet off the throats of Newcastle. Bridge should have completed his hat-trick during injury time. Ruben Zadkovich who had been completely ineffective with several wasteful and overly ambitious long shots, left his keeper out to dry with a horrible back pass. Kubi closed down Birighitti, the keeper managed to beat the onrushing attacker but could clear the ball only as far as Bridge who lined up a first time shot with the empty net gaping, only to see the ball agonisingly curve wide.

    Shortly after the miss the referee blew the whistle to end the match and send the A-League premiership to Western Sydney in their inaugural season. The Wanderers will play a semi-final in two weeks in an attempt to make the 2012-13 A-League Grand Final. Winning the Premiership also guarantees that Western Sydney will play in the 2014 Asian Champions League with a direct entry into the Group Stage.

    The Wanderers next match is the semi-final, against the lowest ranked winning team from the two preliminary final matches, at Parramatta Stadium on Friday the 12th of April at 7:30pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time. 

    Tickets to the Semi-Final go on sale to Wanderers members on Tuesday the 2nd of April at 9am, to the Football Family on the 3rd, to the General Public on the 4th through to the 7th, Away Supporters on the 8th and once more to the General Public from the 9th.

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    wswnick

    Best day, gotta make it a tradition to have RBBQ at broadmeadow magic's ground.

     

    As long as we remember not to mistake their hospitality as a sign of weakness!  :ninja:

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    Wanderboy

    Any feedback from the Broadmeadow club itself?

    Were there many of them there? How many of their scarfs did they sell?

    Just curious, as this could be great publicity for us.

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    srsen

    Best day, gotta make it a tradition to have RBBQ at broadmeadow magic's ground.

     

    100000x this!

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    Neverbloom

    Best game and atmosphere I've ever been to. I wonder how the fans compare to England and South America

    welcome to the forum the atmosphere was amazing last night

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    RBBKopite

    The Newcastle fans were fantastic.  They genuinely were happy for us.

     

    I has a good laugh when I stopped at Heatherbrae on the way up to my parent's place and asked a guy in a Newcastle jersey "what the score was in the game tonight".

     

    When turned around and saw me in my Wanderer's gear, he laughed and told me that I'm going the wrong way before congratulating us on the premiership and wishing us well for the finals.

     

    I've had a great day all round.

    Same old Boban, always trolling! :drinks:

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    stavup

    I just want to reflect on yesterday RBBQ/Game day..from the moment we got onto Pennant Hills Rd with our own convoy of 3 cars and 12 people, we could tell this was going to be a special day. It seemed that every second car was a WSW fan heading North, Once we arrived at the Broardmeadow magic wanderers oval we were absolutely blown away with the friendliness of everybody there. Our hosts were great, and the organisation from the RBB was just amazing. I dont know how to thank those involved with food etc, but it was greatly appreciated..The march was a little so so, I guess due to the rout being sectional at times, but we all tried to inspire others to sing..The march was amazing from the perspective that there were mums, dads, kids even some elderly in wheel chairs..The game atmosphere was second to none this year, I was very proud to be associated with this club yesterday..I was having breakfast the next morning at a cafe in Newcastle with my family..obviously we had Wanderers cloths on, and several people approached us and congratulated us not only on the win, the plate, the season..but were amazed of what we as a fan base bring to the game...they said they were tapping along with our chants...anyway, after a really hard week for many people, I would like to re iterate how proud of the Wanderers and the fans I am...Cant wait for next season...Oh..and Jarred Tyson..what a great bloke, blown away with his attendance at the RBBQ and in the RBB later..great environment...

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    strangefruit

    Having a few beers at the brewery in Newc when the news on tele comes to the wanderers game I stopped in front of a table of locals:

     

    Novocastrian 1- I could hear those c&$ts all day yesterday

    Novocastrian 2- mate, they took up half the stadium, we had to win that game and we got flogged 3-0.

    Novocastrian 3- they've gotta have the biggest supporter base

    Novocastrian 2- mate, that's a proper soccer crowd

     

    Novocastrians 4 and 5 looked oblivious.

     

    Felt like breaking out in a chorus of the city we own!

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    Jaggy

    I had to work yesterday so  couldn't travel to the game or watch it on Fox, I managed to tune in a radio and listen to the second half.

    Congratulations to the WSW whole squad on an outstanding achievement !!

    I'll watch the World game on Monday to see the highlight but thank you Manfred for editing and posting the celebrations it was magic to watch.

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    West13

    Maybe a framed RBB scarf can be given to broadmeadow magic as a thankyou gift and gesture of connection...

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    NickNova

    Maybe a framed RBB scarf can be given to broadmeadow magic as a thankyou gift and gesture of connection...

    I think that's what happened, nice sign of appreciation. Pistola had one, he wouldn't give it to me when I asked for it :(

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    Burgerman

    yesterday was something special watching from northern end was epic the chant off thing between bays was epic,only wished we didnt come late as i missed the first goal buy the time we got inside but didnt matter after really

     

    also what was the new chant hard to pick it up,was this done/practiced at the bbq or something

     

    were the premiers(champions)baby will never forget last night bring on the finals

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    JamCal

     

     Maybe a framed RBB scarf can be given to broadmeadow magic as a thankyou gift and gesture of connection...

    I think that's what happened, nice sign of appreciation. Pistola had one, he wouldn't give it to me when I asked for it :(

     

    Moreso to this point, Jerrad presented a framed/signed Wanderers jersey + I think scarf to the Broadmeadow guys and they seemed really appreciative of it/it was a great gesture from the club/Tyson. 

     

     

     

    .The march was amazing from the perspective that there were mums, dads, kids even some in wheel chairs..

     

    Can confirm the last point, me + the guy in the cat in the hat hat that I always see around ended up forming somewhat of a guardfront for one wheelchair bound lady and her family member so as to avoid some of the horse waste on the bridge during the march. They were very appreciative and it was an oddly touching moment. The RBB is love. 

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    jono5785

     

    Congrats all around. My few cents worth regarding yesterday's proceedings.

     

    Tops

    • The RBBQ. Ray Hadley, Ch7 and Ch9 missed a good opportunity to witness hooliganism WSW-style. Supporters chatting with police, families enjoying a time out on the grass, kids kicking the round ball around, mature ladies dancing to the beat of the drums - all very scary indeed! BTW: good choice of beer.
    • The RBB show. I sat opposite the red and black wall of sound in Bay 63. Very impressive!
    • Hunter Stadium. Beautiful football ground which highlights the shortcomings of Parra Stadium, and friendly home dwellers. Quote of the day: "Hey, who are you cheering for??" (Newcastle father behind me to his Newcastle son who apparently enjoyed the WDWSF chants a bit too much)
    • WSW coaching. The team has structure and order. That is the reason why five missing regular players can be replaced with such seeming ease.
    • Team performance. Cole and Elrich sloting in, the youngsters stepping up, the fluidity in the game, the backtracking, the pressing, the physical fitness (Bridge!) - it all was a pleasure to watch.
    • Poljak: For me personally the man of the season. The glue between attack and defence, the man who fills the gaps. Undeterred by the absence of Ono, La Rocca, and Mooy, and the presence of a 19yo new comer next to him. Maybe the Wanderers' most important player.
    • The drive away from the ground after the match. The interaction with fellow travellers in other cars and next to the street was something else.
    • All players who couldn't play were present for this important match (if I saw correclty). This is culturally very different to ESFC. 45 mins before the Roar vs Smurfs match this Thursday I saw Lucas Neill walking from the Opera House towards Circular Quay (unless I am blind or was fooled by a LN impersinator). My immediate thought was: why is he not with his team in Brisbane? No criticism, just an observation of how things seem to be done differently in differnet clubs.
    • Police presence. From what I've seen they did what they had to do without being in people's faces.

     

     

    Flops

    • Flares. Considering the bad press we've been getting in recent time: words fail me. It is a fact that they were lit within the RBB area, and it seems to be an internal RBB issue which needs to be addressed internally with urgency.
    • Where was the plate??? The FFA seems to be so concerned and busy with governance issues that cultural and operational aspects of the game are being missed. Big fail!
    • Horse **** on our tracks when marching over to the stadium. The NSW police appears to be feeding horses with sufficient fibre.

       

    I just channeled my inner Hersi when I saw the horse **** and used some fancy footwork to weave my way around it. Great summary of what was an epic day as a football fan in general, let alone a Wanderer.

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    MeurantsLane

    Who throws a shoe, honestly?  :rofl:

     

    That was a fun day & a fantastic season. :xbop:  Well done players, coaching staff & fans. :good:

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    kais84

    Who throws a shoe, honestly?  :rofl:

    haha, that's exactly what I thought in my head, said it in the voice and all  :rofl:

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    victor

     

    Yes for those who are unaware of the history Newcastle is a football region - it's fans drawn from the working class (miners etc). It's not by fluke they have the second highest membership in the A-league.

     

    It's passion for football comes from the legacy of British (and to a lesser extent) mainland European migrants who made Newcastle their home.

     

    Back in the day KB United (early NSL days) would draw in excess of 10,000 fans.

     

    I even know a guy born and bred in Newcastle. Played his football in the lower rep leagues. Says the aged games in front of 3-4,000 passionate mainly British supporters back in the day - and these were just local club games!

    My first memories of surprise at an away active support was in 80s N.S.L when Newcastle Rosebuds (KB) came to Edensor park. Yeah there was the derbys with Olympic which drew large numbers from both Sydeny Croatia and Olympic but the Rosebuds with the tiny contingent of fans had very noticeable flags, singing and chanting, unlike the dead silence of some N.S.L teams, such as the sky blue Sydney City Hakoah. I guess time doesn't change everything.

    Thanks fot that info., that explain what I saw at New Castle, good fans !!

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    zelge

    I couldn't make it to the game unfortunately because of a trip away to Jervis Bay that I couldn't avoid, but watching the game was definitely the highlight of my trip and I'll never ever forget that day.

     

    Spent about 1 hour trying to find somewhere to watch the game. Finally found a club in Huskisson bowling club. Walked in and saw the rugby playing and thought I had no chance. I asked a lady working at the door if I could get one TV playing the soccer. She was very nice about it and asked what time the game was ect..She asked around and told me that they'll have the soccer playing on one TV(the TV was damaged and picture was in black & white but I was no position to complain). 5:30 came around and the lady asked some of the club patrons if they would like to move and watch the NRL game on another TV because they were about to change the channel to soccer. The reaction I got after that was unbelievable and one that I'll never forget..

    "Tell these p00ftas to f off"

    "****n soccer c*nts"

    "tell em to f off back to leichardt"

    "this is f**king Australia mate we don't like soccer here"

    "this is Huskisson tell em they can f off"

     

    The club was full of old drunk blokes and I was in no position to say anything. I was grateful to the club and wasn't about to start trouble over something so stupid. At the end of the day they had to move and I got to watch the game! Shortly after the NRL game finished they had soccer on all the TV's at the club! Even had some of the workers there ask me who was playing, where I was from..ect

     

    Although a great day, I'll never ever forget the reaction I got there. My girlfriend was a bit shaken up but in all it was experience to say the least!

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    wendybr

    Ditto everything that has been said above, about the team, the RBB and fans in general, and including the warmth of the Newcastle fans and people in general. We found that before and after the game, they  were willing to chat to us about what a great season we'd had etc.

     

    One of the highlights for my family occurred on the way back to the railway station. We had been chatting to three middle aged women - WSW fans-  who were returning to Canberra after the game.  As we were parting company, it turned out that one was Nicholai T-S's mother, and another was his aunt!!!! They were (rightly, but quietly)  glowing with pride in his, and the team's achievements...and I think were pleased to have met some fans who had followed his career from SFC, to Newcastle and now to the Wanderers. Beautiful ladies, who so well deserved to see him reaping the rewards for pursuing his football dreams.

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    GookKidMaadCity

    I couldn't make it to the game unfortunately because of a trip away to Jervis Bay that I couldn't avoid, but watching the game was definitely the highlight of my trip and I'll never ever forget that day.

     

    Spent about 1 hour trying to find somewhere to watch the game. Finally found a club in Huskisson bowling club. Walked in and saw the rugby playing and thought I had no chance. I asked a lady working at the door if I could get one TV playing the soccer. She was very nice about it and asked what time the game was ect..She asked around and told me that they'll have the soccer playing on one TV(the TV was damaged and picture was in black & white but I was no position to complain). 5:30 came around and the lady asked some of the club patrons if they would like to move and watch the NRL game on another TV because they were about to change the channel to soccer. The reaction I got after that was unbelievable and one that I'll never forget..

    "Tell these p00ftas to f off"

    "****n soccer c*nts"

    "tell em to f off back to leichardt"

    "this is f**king Australia mate we don't like soccer here"

    "this is Huskisson tell em they can f off"

     

    The club was full of old drunk blokes and I was in no position to say anything. I was grateful to the club and wasn't about to start trouble over something so stupid. At the end of the day they had to move and I got to watch the game! Shortly after the NRL game finished they had soccer on all the TV's at the club! Even had some of the workers there ask me who was playing, where I was from..ect

     

    Although a great day, I'll never ever forget the reaction I got there. My girlfriend was a bit shaken up but in all it was experience to say the least!

     

    Stuff the old pricks. They'll die off soon and we can have a future for our beloved sport tat won't get smeared by ignorant sh!tc#nts.

    Link to comment
    ManfredSchaefer

     

    I couldn't make it to the game unfortunately because of a trip away to Jervis Bay that I couldn't avoid, but watching the game was definitely the highlight of my trip and I'll never ever forget that day.

     

    Spent about 1 hour trying to find somewhere to watch the game. Finally found a club in Huskisson bowling club. Walked in and saw the rugby playing and thought I had no chance. I asked a lady working at the door if I could get one TV playing the soccer. She was very nice about it and asked what time the game was ect..She asked around and told me that they'll have the soccer playing on one TV(the TV was damaged and picture was in black & white but I was no position to complain). 5:30 came around and the lady asked some of the club patrons if they would like to move and watch the NRL game on another TV because they were about to change the channel to soccer. The reaction I got after that was unbelievable and one that I'll never forget..

    "Tell these p00ftas to f off"

    "****n soccer c*nts"

    "tell em to f off back to leichardt"

    "this is f**king Australia mate we don't like soccer here"

    "this is Huskisson tell em they can f off"

     

    The club was full of old drunk blokes and I was in no position to say anything. I was grateful to the club and wasn't about to start trouble over something so stupid. At the end of the day they had to move and I got to watch the game! Shortly after the NRL game finished they had soccer on all the TV's at the club! Even had some of the workers there ask me who was playing, where I was from..ect

     

    Although a great day, I'll never ever forget the reaction I got there. My girlfriend was a bit shaken up but in all it was experience to say the least!

     

    Stuff the old pricks. They'll die off soon and we can have a future for our beloved sport tat won't get smeared by ignorant sh!tc#nts.

     

    And where is that defender of truth, justice and the virginity of SportsBet Waterhouse Channel Nine journalists Danny Weidler when this kind of abuse, racism and homophobic behaviour happens?

     

    That's right...hiding behind innuendos, half-truths, gossip, his mate Sonny Bill Williams and an attitude about ethics that even Christopher Skase would baulk at.

     

    The ignorance and hatred behind so much of the opposition to football in this country sometimes makes me just wonder...

    Edited by ManfredSchaefer
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