Western Sydney Wanderers claim first win of A-League season as top four beckons
WHAT a difference a win makes. Western Sydney’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over Wellington gave coach Markus Babbel his first in the job and lifted his side within striking distance of the top four.
Western Sydney Wanderers
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IT’S the difference one win can make — and sets Western Sydney up to reach for the summit.
A comprehensive 3-0 win for the Wanderers in Wellington on Saturday gave coach Markus Babbel his first win in the job, at the third time of asking, and lifted his side up towards the top of the ladder.
Victory over Brisbane next Saturday in Mudgee could lift Babbel’s side to the top of the A-League table, if only briefly, for what would be the first time in two-and-a-half years.
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The trip out west, part of the club’s community program, will be preceded by local clinics for junior players, with the players buoyed by what was just the club’s third win at Westpac Stadium.
Following that up with a win over Brisbane this weekend would also boost Babbel’s attempts to overhaul the squad in the wake of Josep Gombau’s ill-fated tenure — a period during which Western Sydney only once managed consecutive wins.
Babbel was missing from the touchline in Saturday’s win, serving a one-match ban for the red card earned during the derby after blowing up at the disallowing of a goal.
Assistant JP de Marigny took the reins, and noted the effectiveness of his team’s attacking movement, after winger Bruce Kamau was added to the side at the expense of Jaushua Sotirio.
“The boys stuck to the structure and the execution was superb,” de Marigny told Fox Sports. “The performance was excellent.
“It’s about exposing weaknesses and defusing strengths. There was a lot of threat from us, with runs in behind. Markus and I are very proud of them.
“We’re trying to build belief and trust, and looking for big moments. We found those moments and took them.”