Oh yes ... Shinji gives the Wanderers, Popovic and Oz the big tick.Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited
When Shinji Ono declares himself fit, he's talking about one game but he could be talking about his career resurgence
The fact Ono will be ready to face Brisbane on Friday night is a huge moment in Western Sydney's plans to reach the grand final. But his decision to move to the A-League and join this crazy adventure has equally proven to be a seminal moment in his own career.
Stagnating in the J-League at Shimizu S-Pulse, and rarely completing more than an hour in every game, Ono has been managed so well that 90 minutes has largely been the norm this season.
The reason? A man called Popovic, and a squad of players who drive him on every day "a good spiral" as he calls it that has already delivered the Premier's Plate and is now one game from that grand final.
"When I came here our head coach told me, I want to win the championship," Ono said. "He's the one, the best. He's very honest. He will tell me (to my face), if I have played well. "That's why we trust him all the time and the players want to play for him.
Watch the Wanderers host the Roar for a place in the A-League grand final, LIVE at 7.30pm (EST) on Friday on Fox Sports 1 HD.
"Every day at training I try to push myself, and also the head coach has helped me to look after my body. This team, a brand new team, they are winners and they all have a good attitude to training.
"It creates a good spiral if you know what I mean. It makes me want to do more. The young players, if they look at me train hard, they will want to do the same. Training is always serious, always hard."
The club, of course, is focused on nothing more than Friday's semi-final but there's an attraction on the horizon that Ono is captivated by. Securing the Premier's Plate means the Wanderers are guaranteed a place in the Asian Champions League next year, and Ono is anxious for the draw to throw up some familiar opposition.
Admitting he knew little of Australia before signing he wants to showcase the A-League back home, and promote some cultural understanding.
"The level (of the A-League) is very high, we have the chance to play against other countries in the ACL, and I am very excited," he said. "I want to show something special, I want to achieve more. I hope we play any Japanese club, there would be no pressure it would just be a good experience for me and my teammates.
"This is not my home country, but if we win the championship then maybe some more Australian people will start to know about me and the Japanese people.
"It is very important to me.
"I want to be an ambassador for Japan.
"I love this club, I love this country and the supporters.
"The football culture here is not so old, which is why people want to learn. They want to learn more, from other players for example from Del Piero, from Heskey. Maybe some people want to learn from me."
Oh yes ... Shinji gives the Wanderers, Popovic and Oz the big tick.Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited
When Shinji Ono declares himself fit, he's talking about one game but he could be talking about his career resurgence
The fact Ono will be ready to face Brisbane on Friday night is a huge moment in Western Sydney's plans to reach the grand final. But his decision to move to the A-League and join this crazy adventure has equally proven to be a seminal moment in his own career.
Stagnating in the J-League at Shimizu S-Pulse, and rarely completing more than an hour in every game, Ono has been managed so well that 90 minutes has largely been the norm this season.
The reason? A man called Popovic, and a squad of players who drive him on every day "a good spiral" as he calls it that has already delivered the Premier's Plate and is now one game from that grand final.
"When I came here our head coach told me, I want to win the championship," Ono said. "He's the one, the best. He's very honest. He will tell me (to my face), if I have played well. "That's why we trust him all the time and the players want to play for him.
Watch the Wanderers host the Roar for a place in the A-League grand final, LIVE at 7.30pm (EST) on Friday on Fox Sports 1 HD.
"Every day at training I try to push myself, and also the head coach has helped me to look after my body. This team, a brand new team, they are winners and they all have a good attitude to training.
"It creates a good spiral if you know what I mean. It makes me want to do more. The young players, if they look at me train hard, they will want to do the same. Training is always serious, always hard."
The club, of course, is focused on nothing more than Friday's semi-final but there's an attraction on the horizon that Ono is captivated by. Securing the Premier's Plate means the Wanderers are guaranteed a place in the Asian Champions League next year, and Ono is anxious for the draw to throw up some familiar opposition.
Admitting he knew little of Australia before signing he wants to showcase the A-League back home, and promote some cultural understanding.
"The level (of the A-League) is very high, we have the chance to play against other countries in the ACL, and I am very excited," he said. "I want to show something special, I want to achieve more. I hope we play any Japanese club, there would be no pressure it would just be a good experience for me and my teammates.
"This is not my home country, but if we win the championship then maybe some more Australian people will start to know about me and the Japanese people.
"It is very important to me.
"I want to be an ambassador for Japan.
"I love this club, I love this country and the supporters.
"The football culture here is not so old, which is why people want to learn. They want to learn more, from other players for example from Del Piero, from Heskey. Maybe some people want to learn from me."
Thrilling scenes ... Western Sydney celebrate their Premiers' Plate success.Source: Dean Lewins / AAP
Rocky Visconte put the icing on the cake of Western Sydney Wanderers' history-making win over Newcastle Jets with a searing strike.
The same Rocky Visconte who couldn’t get a game at Brisbane Roar for the first-half of this season, and who was making just his second appearance for Tony Popovic’s side.
But that’s the Wanderers. The A-League Premiers’ Plate winners. And the great sports story of the year.
"Since day one, he’s (Popovic) brought in the culture that everyone’s important, whether you’re 17 or three years old," Wanderers striker Labinot Haliti told Sunday Shootout.
"And at some stage of the competition you’ll be called up to do your job – the best you can."
So on a night where the pressure was on to grab the point needed to secure top spot - missing Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy, Adam D'Apuzzo, Jerome Polenz and Iacopo La Rocca - the Wanderers rose to the mark - yet again.
Their 3-0 win ensures they remain undefeated in 12 rounds, having capitalised on Central Coast Mariners’ brief stumble a few weeks back to siege control of the A-League ladder.
Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich paid tribute to Popovic’s ability to rotate his squad through the season.
Indeed, Haliti found himself on the bench in the derby despite scoring a brace the week before against Heart, while being the goal-scoring hero against the Mariners.
"One of the most difficult things, especially in a successful team, is to keep people who are not playing happy," Bosnich said.
"We’re seeing that game in, game out. Tarek Ehlrich … comes in against Newcastle and looks like he’s been playing all season.
"Great team spirit … the easiest thing in the world for a player when he’s left out is to put his head down and that can sometimes spread through the whole dressing room."
Players have sung Popovic’s praises all season for the way he has moulded his squad so quickly. Haliti joins that chorus.
"Credit goes all to the coaching staff and to the boss," he said.
"The way he prepares the team is like nothing I’ve seen before – probably the best I’ve been under.
"I’ve learnt a lot and I’m sure the rest of the guys have learnt. It’s showing on the field."
Haliti was renowned as a bit of a super-sub after 12 goals in 66 games at the Jets. But like so many in the squad, he has found a new gear this term.
"(The preparation is) a level I’ve never experienced before," he said.
"I go into every game comfortable, ready, and I’m sure the rest of the players feel the same."
The Wanderers' season has made the broader Australian sporting audience sit up and take notice.
But have they convinced the football purists with their pragmatic style? Bosnich went into bad for the side.
"I’m sick and tired of people diminishing their achievement," he said.
"These guys play winning football in the right areas of the pitch.
"When they've got the chance they can play as good a one and two touch football as anyone in the competition … it is a phenomenal achievement."
So as Haliti and his teammates dream of finals success to go with their Premiers’ Plate win and AFC Champions League qualification, does Haliti envisage himself scoring the grand final winner and flinging his short off in his renowned jubilant style?
ELIMINATION FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 5:
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, Etihad Stadium 7:30pm EDT
ELIMINATION FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 7:
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar, Hindmarsh Stadium 5:00pm EST
SEMI-FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 12:
Western Sydney Wanderers v Lowest-ranked elimination finals winner, Parramatta Stadium 7:30pm EST
SEMI-FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 14:
Central Coast Mariners v Highest-ranked elimination finals winner, Bluetongue Stadium 5:00pm EST
GRAND FINAL, SUNDAY APRIL 21:
Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2, Venue TBC, 4:00pm EST
"I guess I’ll have to ask the boss!," he quipped.
Indeed, that says a lot about the side’s success.
"They can celebrate now in the change room and enjoy the bus trip back," Popovic said after the game on Friday night.
"But there's still more to come. There's still more to do."
And with him in charge, good luck to the others trying to stop them.
POPPA'S PIONEERS
There's been plenty said about how the rookie coach has brought together journeymen and players looking for another chance to earn the most unlikely of A-League Premierships. It's no cliche. Here's the proof:
Ante Covic: unwanted at Melbourne Victory by Ange Postecoglou
Jerrad Tyson: clubless after Gold Coast United folded
Shannon Cole: out of favour at Sydney FC after 95 games.
Reece Caira: looking to prove his worth after coming through ranks at Aston Villa
Iacopo La Rocca: 29-year-old journeyman Italian trying something new in Australia.
Adam D'apuzzo: after 102 matches with Newcastle, D'apuzzo gave up on his football career to pursue career in accounting - before Popovic called.
Jerome Polenz: the under-19 and under-20 German international's career was at the crossroads before the 26-year-old joined the Wanderers in August.
Tarek Elrich: also on the outer under van Egmond at Newcastle, the western Sydney local was one of the first men lured to Wanderland looking to kick-start his A-League career.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley: an inspired signing by Popovic. The former Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets was always a regular performer in the competition, but Popovic has taken him to new heights.
Michael Beachump: he might have been to two World Cups, but Popovic's skipper hasn't quite been settled at club level, moving from the Mariners to Germany, Denmark, the UAE before Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart. Like NTS, has gone to another level of consistency.
Aaron Mooy: an important signing for the club and an important move for a player at St Mirren in Scotland. Deal has been an inspired one for both.
Shinji Ono: a great example of Popovic's ability to motivate and inspire. The 33-year-old Japanese legend, with 56 national caps, left Shimizu S-Pulse disillusioned. It's fair to say he loves the game again.
Jason Trifiro: plucked from the Victorian Premier League.
Mateo Poljak: 23-year-old former Croatia under-19 international, looking for a fresh start after failing to graduate from Dinamo Zagreb's youth squad.
Youssouf Hersi: 30-year-old Dutchman was a shrewd pick-up by Popovic. After a slow start he has shown lived up to his reputation after a decade in the Eredevise to become one of their x-factors
Rocky Visconte: joined Popovic's squad mid-way through the season from Brisbane Roar, looking for a chance.
Tahj Minniecon: dubbed overweight and seemingly on the scrapheap, he was thrown a lifeline by Popovic.
Mark Bridge: an extraordinary renaissance. Had it all ahead of him after moving from the Jets to Sydney FC, but slipped off the radar. A star this season, who has found his goalscoring boots again.
Labinot Haliti: from a super-sub to a genuine match-winner.
Kwabena Appiah-Kubi: Popovic has shown he's willing to throw youth in, and the exuberant 20-year-old has shown great promise when used this year in his rookie season.
Dino Kresinger: the 31-year-old Croatian has been a polarising choice up-front for Popovic's side - yet he has persisted with him and sees him as a vital cog in his side, despite his lack of goalscoring prowess.
Joey Gibbs: a perennial fringe A-League player, Gibbs trialled and trialled and trialled until Popovic had to give him a go.
Tony Popovic ... praised by Holger Osieck for an impressive coaching introduction.Source: Marianna Massey / AAP
Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has cautioned against heaping too much expectation on Western Sydney Wanderers boss Tony Popovic as he eyes a championship in his first season.
As the Wanderers prepare to face Wellington Phoenix at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday, aiming to maintain their A-League lead, Popovic has already been mentioned in some quarters as a future Socceroos coach.
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Western Sydney
23
15
2
6
14
47
2
Central Coast
24
13
6
5
22
45
3
Victory
24
12
4
8
3
40
4
Adelaide
23
11
3
9
1
36
5
Sydney
24
9
3
12
-8
30
6
Newcastle
25
8
6
11
-12
30
7
Brisbane
24
8
5
11
1
29
8
Perth
24
8
4
12
-2
28
9
Heart
23
8
3
12
-2
27
10
Wellington
24
6
6
12
-17
24
But Osieck, having watched Western Sydney several times, warned against rushing the 39-year-old after less than a year as a head coach.
"It's great what he created there at Western Sydney in his first job as head coach," Osieck said.
"The way he puts things together, with a lot of improvisation, the results show what a good job he did. I don't know what people are discussing, nor, of course, what will happen in the future. But I think he himself knows it's important he gets his feet on the ground.
"He's been very successful in his first job, but in football there's a lot of waves. There's always days when you experience some headwind, right now he's got more tailwind.
"Football is never predictable, a game that lives and moves. You never know what will happen the next day, but he has done a fantastic job."
Wanderers face a Phoenix side in apparent turmoil, bottom of the ladder after coach Ricki Herbert's resignation.
However, they also boast the league's second top scorer in Jeremy Brockie.
But Western Sydney can counter that with the meanest defence in the league, helmed by centre backs Michael Beauchamp and Nikolai Topor-Stanley and having let in just 18 goals this season.
"They've got a very good, solid defensive record," Brockie said.
"They've got two big, giant centre backs. The way to work them is sliding balls down the side of them.
"If we can get our playmakers on the ball to make those runs in behind them then hopefully we'll get a bit of joy that way."
Wanderers are chasing a ninth consecutive win that would not only set an A-League record but equal similar streaks set by three different clubs in the NSL, according to football historian Andrew Howe.
Sydney Olympic (1984), South Melbourne (1984-1985) and Sydney United (1996-1997) all did it, with Popovic part of the United team.
Playmaker Aaron Mooy is likely to come into the Western Sydney starting XI in place of Iacopo La Rocca, as Popovic switches his team to a more offensive mindset.
