Sport

Western Sydney Wanderers to host AFC Champions League final

In a short space of time, the Western Sydney Wanderers have had a big impact on the A-League and they are now set to compete in the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League.

The A-League’s newest side will play Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal in the Australian leg of the final at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday October 25 before heading to King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Saturday November 1 for the second and final match.

The Wanderers joined the A-League in 2012 and have had an impressive and immediate impact, competing in two Grand Finals, topping the A-League ladder in its debut season and now winning through to the final of the AFC Champions League. Competing in the final of the Champions League is no small feat. The Australian sides have taken part in the competition since 2007 and the Wanderers are just the second A-League side to win through to the final stage following Adelaide United in 2008.

The Wanderers have not had an ideal preparation ahead of their AFC Champions League final, losing their first two A-League matches. The side went down to Melbourne Victory 4-1 at Etihad Stadium in the opening round of the A-League and then lost to Sydney FC 3-2 in their last match before the final.

The side will however take a home ground advantage into the match against Al-Hilal. Since they were founded, the Western Sydney Wanderers have had immense support from loyal and vocal fans. In a very short space of time, the club has become one of the best-supported teams in the Australian domestic league.

The loud and passionate support the side receives at every home match – and many away matches – will go a long way to helping them break-through for an historic victory in the AFC Champions League Final. A strong home match performance would be highly beneficial for the last leg of the final that will be played in Saudi Arabia.

No A-League team has won a match – or even scored a goal – in an AFC Champions League final, but the amazing Western Sydney Wanderers supporters will be doing all they can to ensure their side breaks the A-League drought.

In another impressive achievement, the Western Sydney Wanderers recently broke their membership record, surpassing 18,000 members for season 2014-15. Ticketmaster provides membership services for the Wanderers and also provides ticketing services for all home match at Pirtek Stadium, including the upcoming AFC Champions League final.

Click here for tickets to the 2014 AFC Champions League final between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Al-Hilal at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday October 25.

Click here to purchase a membership for the Western Sydney Wanderers for season 2014-15.