English club Leeds United to take on Wanderers in first football clash at new Western Sydney Stadium
He has coached at two World Cups and won Olympic gold, but now Marcelo Bielsa is intrigued by a unique challenge in Western Sydney. Leeds United are coming and the iconic manager can’t wait.
He has coached at two World Cups and won Olympic gold, but now Marcelo Bielsa is intrigued by a unique challenge in Western Sydney.
One of the most iconic managers in world football over the past two decades, Bielsa will bring his Leeds United team to Sydney to face the Wanderers next year in the first football clash to be played at the new Western Sydney Stadium.
Sports minister Stuart Ayres will on Monday confirm that Leeds will face Western Sydney on July 20 next year, with the English club predicting between 4000 and 5000 of their fans will attend the game.
The showpiece fixture will be the Wanderers’ first at their new home, ahead of their formal return for the 2019-20 season after three years of displacement, and tickets for the game will go on sale early next month.
FLYING HIGH: Make no mistake, Leeds are a huge club
Leeds will travel to Sydney after facing Manchester United in Perth three days before, with Bielsa calling on the Yorkshire club’s diaspora to counteract what is likely to be huge demand from Wanderers fans wanting to be part of the new stadium’s first football event at the 30,000-seat stadium.
“To play in the first international sporting event at the new Western Sydney Stadium will be an honour and we are all looking forward to the occasion,” Bielsa said.
“I am sure our passionate supporters will come out in force.
“I am pleased that we have been given the opportunity to take the team over to Australia to help us prepare for the 2019/20 season.”
The tour to Australia is part of Leeds’s centenary celebrations, and is likely to be televised around the world.
“This will be a historic day for Western Sydney football fans as their home team lines up against one of English football’s most storied clubs, marking the first international fixture at the venue,” Ayres said.
“The Wanderers will be returning to their spiritual home in Parramatta and playing against a club well known to Australians through the likes of ex-Socceroos Mark Viduka and Paul Okon, and former A-League player Michael Bridges.
“We said this stadium would change sport in Western Sydney and this game is proof that is happening.”
The new stadium has already won praise from Western Sydney’s hierarchy for its steep stand design and safe standing area, with head coach Markus Babbel calling it “top class” after a visit to the site.
After facing various issues at the club’s temporary homes, Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said the return to Paaramatta Stadium would be a welcome move for the club.
“Our incredible members and fans have waited a long time to see this stadium come to fruition and we cannot wait to play our first match there against a club with so much history and tradition in Leeds United,” said Tsatsimas.
“This will be a historic event for the club, the stadium and the people of Western Sydney.”
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