Western Sydney Wanderers : Sanfrecce Hiroshima

The main focus of our trip to Australia was not soccer, because the regular season was coming to an end and the itinerary had already been determined beforehand.

The coincidence wanted it but so that the Western Sydney Wanderers by the group victory in the AFC Champions League a place in the round of 16 could secure and we could come so still in the pleasure of a soccer match.

Actually, we have thought that in Australia the soccer plays rather only a minor role. Too dominant is rugby and especially Australia Football (short Footy) called. Footy is really constantly shown and there is no pub where you can not see the games.

So it was not surprising that we had to rattle off several pubs at the championship final of the A-League between Sydney and Brisbane before we could still watch the final in an Irish pub. Only a few people gathered in front of the TV, but in the sold-out stadium the action was really intense. Sydney lost in overtime and a few days later also the first leg against Sanfrecce Hiroschima with 3:1.

Nevertheless, a week later we confidently made our way to Parramatta, a suburb west of Sydney. The road from the train station to the stadium was lined with eateries and already there the enthusiasm of the people was evident. Almost everyone was dressed in the colors of the Wanderers and so it was not difficult for us to find the right way to the stadium.

The stadium has two large longitudinal stands and two small standing room stands behind the goals, with the home fans making themselves comfortable in the north curve. The fans showed a really acoustically and visually excellent support right from the start. Due to the many melodic chants, it almost felt like being at a pop concert. And also the fans on the longitudinal stands were included in various alternating chants.

The game was marked from the beginning by a storm run of the guys from Sydney, but a countable success should not look out despite numerous top chances for the time being. It was not until the 55th minute that substitute Shannon Cole took heart and hammered the leather into the box without compromise. The jubilation was of course great and also the players did their utmost to push the crowd even more. In the aftermath was set even more on the offensive, whereby Hiroshima partially to dangerous counterattacks could start. But the defense always remained victorious.

In the 80th minute, the entire stadium then suddenly turned away from the action and celebrated a bouncing and singing in which you had to participate of course - even if you so nothing more of the game mitbekam. Also the players seemed to motivate, because now they mobilized again everything and were rewarded in the 85th minute also for it. Brendan Santalab slammed the ball into the goal in the 85th minute to extend the lead, and Sydney was now in the quarterfinals thanks to the away goals rule. An anxious few minutes followed before the fans and players could rejoice together at the advancement.

After that, a few more players were seen off as the season came to an end for Sydney - funny considering the Champions League was yet to be played. While the goalkeeper gave away almost all his clothing to the fans, especially Shinji Ono was given a warm farewell by the fans. With the rhythm of `No Limit` (Ono - OnoOno) in the ear we went back in direction Sydney...