Wanderers snap winless streak against last-placed Mariners
A heart to heart conversation with the players was cited by coach Markus Babbel as the reason for Western Sydney's first win of 2019 after a rejuvenated Wanderers beat cellar dwellers Central Coast Mariners 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Babbel said he held lengthy conversations with his players explaining why he has publicly criticised his underperforming team repeatedly this season.
"I asked them why they think I am doing this because to criticise something is very easy,” Babbel said. “If I do this they can believe I think about something . . . I want to see a reaction. We can’t give up the season now."
The players may not have responded with an inspired performance but that mattered little as they snapped their winless streak to claim their first victory in 11 games. It was greeted with relief and joy by supporters at the final whistle, but there was no hiding the hollowness for many fans in that their win came at the expense of the worst performing Australian team in A-League history.
In truth, there weren't many on hand to celebrate. The Wanderers active supporter group, the Red and Black Bloc, didn't bother to show up. The only murmurs heard were a few chants from Mariners supporters in the official crowd of 7064 in the 24,000-capacity Spotless Stadium.
It wasn't a match that would be remembered fondly, but it was a result that could kickstart a late season resurgence for Western Sydney. Finals football remains highly unlikely, but the long-awaited victory could provided some much needed optimism. For underperforming coach Markus Babbel, it's the first step towards staking his claim to remain at the club.
It was an afternoon where the Wanderers needed to make a statement. Before kicking a ball, the club did just that. Stadium staff were instructed to take down advertising boards of sponsor Thai Airways in a show of support for footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi, who is imprisoned in Bangkok.
Unfortunately, the players were slow to follow suit. In sapping conditions, the Wanderers took 25 minute to create their first genuine chance on goal. A brilliantly delivered free-kick from Roly Bonevacia picked out the run of Spanish striker Oriol Riera in front of goal. The unmarked Wanderers marquee looked certain to open the scoring but his powerful header was saved by an astute Ben Kennedy in the Mariners goal.
The hosts suffered a setback when forward Kwame Yeboah was forced off minutes later with a hip injury. He was replaced by Bruce Kamau and the change didn't alter the slow and staccato tempo of the match. The few fans who did attend had to wait until the end of the half for the next chance on goal, when Jordan Murray tested Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic from close range.
Riera was given another point-blank header but hit the post. Just as Western Sydney looked doomed to another hapless evening, a stroke of luck fell their way in injury time. Fullback Tarek Elrich delivered a dangerous cross to the far post that deceived the Mariners defence and sailed in at the far post, making it 1-0 in bizarre fashion.
A lifeless second half ended with one last moment of joy for the hosts. Winger Jaushua Sotirio sealed the win with a composed finish in the 79th minute in a fine counterattack instigated by Bonevacia.
With each defeat, Central Coast Mariners edge closer towards finishing the season with the fewest points per game in A-League history.