Western Sydney Wanderers kept their faint finals aspirations alive with a 3-0 win over Melbourne City last night at ANZ Stadium.
A brace for Spanish striker Oriol Riera either side of a Mitchell Duke strike ensured the Wanderers will be playing for more than just pride for another week as their chances of finishing in the top six remain a mathematical possibility.
Face-off: Brendan Hamill, left, celebrates with Oriol Riera after the Spaniards first goal. Credit:AAP
Missing a handful of first-team players, Western Sydneys convincing win raised serious questions over Melbourne Citys title credentials, exposing flaws in their backline while keeping their attack toothless over the course of the 90 minutes.
However pleasing the win, the Wanderers still have a mountain to climb to reach the finals. The gap to sixth-placed Adelaide is eight points, though the Reds have a game in hand. More immediately satisfying for Western Sydney was their ability to overcome a disjointed start to clinch a massive upset over City, who were rudderless in attack without centre-forward Jamie Maclaren, who was rested after suffering a concussion.
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Flashpoint: Shayon Harrison of Melbourne City and Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic clash.Credit:AAP
It meant little came in the way of chances early on. Shayon Harrison of Melbourne City had to take aim from distance, forcing a fine save from Vedran Janjetovic early on. At the other end, Rashid Mahazi also fired from long range to test Eugene Galekovic in Melbournes goal.
It was no surprise to see the best chance of the half resulting from a careless foul. Citys Rostyn Griffiths needlessly rushed up on Western Sydney forward Kwame Yeboah inside the box to bring the striker down, and referee Daniel Elder had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Spanish forward Riera sent Galekovic the wrong way to put the Wanderers one up in the 34th minute.
Griffiths was enduring a difficult evening and received a deserved caution with a late foul on Riera in the 40th minute, having tested the leniency of Elder on three occasions prior, but managed to see out the match.
Wanderers coach Markus Babbel replaced Roly Read More – Source
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