The Western Sydney fairytale is bound to come to an end sometime, but not now, says coach Tony Popovic.
The Wanderers stand on the brink of creating Australian sporting history after booking their spot in the Asian Champions League final with a 2-0 win over FC Seoul on Wednesday.
Of all the milestones the club has achieved in their two short years of existence – reaching back-to-back A-League grand finals and winning the Premiers’ Plate – Popovic rates making the ACL decider as by far the biggest.
And he is not done yet.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal now stands between Popovic’s side and the greatest prize of all, with the first leg in Sydney – and possibly the Olympic stadium – on October 25, and the return leg in Riyadh on November 1.
Adelaide United is the only other Australian team to make the ACL showpiece in 2008, falling to Japanese side Gamba Osaka.
But Popovic is determined to go one step further.
“This is the best. Nothing beats this,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of special nights but tonight just tops off a fantastic campaign.
“We don’t want it to end. We don’t want to just make the final, we want to win the final.”
The Wanderers knocked out the ACL champions Guangzhou Evergrande in the quarters then sent last year’s runners up FC Seoul packing in the semis on their way to a final showdown with Al Hilal.
Should they emerge victorious the Wanderers will also qualify for the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in December, alongside Spanish giants Real Madrid and Copa Libertadores champions San Lorenzo.
He admitted to being largely in the dark about Al Hilal but was certain the side would derive plenty of confidence having left some of Asia’s biggest and most successful clubs in their wake.
“It’s great for confidence. When you look the squads they have, the resources they have and the quality players they have it really puts the achievement right up there,” he said.
“I don’t know much about Al Hilal. I’ve seen a little bit but to be honest the focus has just been on us getting through.
“When it gets to October 25 and November 1 we’ll be better again, we’ll have a few A-League games under our belt.
“It’s just a great night and something to look forward to for our entire club.”
Source: AAP