Article

Popovic proud of Wanderers consistency

16 February 2013 14:52

Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic hailed his team's consistency after they defeated Melbourne Victory 2-1 away on Saturday.

Wanderers struck through Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono at AAMI Park, with a positive result against Ange Postecoglou's impressive Victory strengthening the Wanderers' title credentials.

They have now won six matches in succession and moved to within a point of Central Coast Mariners following the league leaders' loss away to Perth Glory.

Popovic expressed his pride at the Wanderers' ability to continue picking up points, and with just six games left until the finals begin, they now look set to push the Mariners all the way in the race for the premiership.

"Delighted with the performance and the result," he said.

"They don't always match, the performances and result, but we continue with a long run of games now where we've been performing well and today was another one. Tough environment against an excellent side, very happy to get the 2-1 win.

"We've been on a great run of six (wins) in a row, we've shown we can win consecutive games and we're certainly do our very best (to extend the run).

"The players are very grounded, we've got a tough game against Perth next week and we'll certainly prepare as well, if not better, than we did tonight. It's one game at a time and Perth's the next important challenge for us."

The Wanderers' colourful supporters were out in force for their first trip to Melbourne, playing their part in generating a tremendous atmosphere at AAMI Park, and Popovic reserved special mention for the new team's dedicated following.

"I want to make a special mention to our fans," he said.

"They've come here in huge numbers, they were here very early today, they've been singing and, I'm sure, enjoying themselves in Melbourne. It's great for the players and everyone involved with the club, 90 minutes before the game, to see our supporters here in huge numbers. They're special, we certainly appreciate it and (are) proud to have fans like that."

Info

Melbourne Victory

L W W L D

1 - 2

Western Sydney Wanderers

L W W D W

Competition

Half-time: 0 - 1
Full-time: 1 - 2

Venue: AAMI Park (Melbourne)
Attendance: 21638

Goals

	0 - 1	11' I. La Rocca
	0 - 2	72' S. Ono
C. Pain 75'	1 - 2

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
39	N. Coe	61'
5	M. Milligan
23	A. Leijer
33	D. Mullen
31	S. Galloway
6	L. Broxham
9	M. Flores
11	M. Rojas
14	B. Celeski
13	D. Ferreira
26	A. Nabbout
Coach: A. Postecoglou

#	Player	Bookings
1	A. Čović
5	M. Beauchamp
6	J. Polenz
4	N. Topor-Stanley
3	A. D'Apuzzo
18	I. La Rocca	11'
21	S. Ono	72'
17	Y. Hersi	58'
8	M. Poljak
19	M. Bridge
9	D. Kresinger
Coach: T. Popović

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
32	C. Pain for M. Flores 56'	75'
17	J. Jeggo for D. Mullen 64'
8	J. Bru for A. Nabbout 74'
1	T. Velaphi
18	F. Stella

#	Player	Bookings
10	A. Mooy for I. La Rocca 73'
7	L. Haliti for Y. Hersi 76'
2	S. Cole for S. Ono 86'
20	J. Tyson

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