BRENDON Santalab’s boot sealed a massive victory for the Western Sydney Wanderers at the weekend, which is sure to boost the confidence of the squad headed into the closing rounds of the A-League season and the opening rounds of the Asian Champions League.
The Wanderers defeated the Sydney FC juggernaut in front of a packed ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the first loss Sydney FC has suffered all season, and was the fifth victory for a Wanderers squad which is slowly gaining some momentum at the right time of the season.
The Wanderers have a crucial road trip against Perth this Saturday, which is likely to have finals ramifications come the end of the season.
The sixth-placed Wanderers are four points behind Perth on the table, and a win over the Glory would be a prized scalp.
Conversely, a loss against the Glory could see the charge towards the finals fizzle out.
On Tuesday night, after the Gazette’s deadline, the Wanderers also began their Asian Champions League campaign.
The Wanderers played Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan’s J1 League at Campbelltown Stadium on Tuesday night in the first group stage match.
The Wanderers are in the F Group, featuring the Red Diamonds as well as Korea’s FC Seoul and China’s Shanghai SIPG FC.
On February 28, the Wanderers will travel to Shanghai to take on their opponents, and on March 15 will have another road trip, this time to take on FC Seoul in Korea in the first three of six matches, which will span over the following months.
Meanwhile, the FFA has confirmed it is looking into an offensive banner hoisted by Wanderers fans during the Sydney Derby.
The banner depicted a sky blue face performing a sex act, which has been labelled homophobic.
"FFA is aware of the unauthorised and totally unacceptable banner that was displayed in the Western Sydney Wanderers area during Saturday night's Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium," A-League boss Greg O'Rourke said.
"The discriminatory nature of the 'tifo' has no place in society and will not be tolerated in the A-League.
“We are working with the club and currently gathering as much information as possible and will deal with the matter when we have all available facts including CCTV footage."
The Sydney Morning Herald has also reported that police are investigating an alleged brawl between fans at the Derby.
The FFA has not ruled out taking points from the Wanderers because of the actions of their fans.
The Wanderers have a suspended points penalty hanging over them thanks to a fan incident last season and another one earlier this season.
