Western Sydney became just the second A-League club to progress to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals after securing a remarkable 2-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday night.
Western Sydney Wanderers players, led by Shinji Ono, thank the fans. Source: AAP
THE Wanderers' fairytale is still alive after second-half wonder strikes from Shannon Cole and Brendon Santalab against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Pirtek Stadium gave Western Sydney a night to remember.
Needing a 2-0 victory to overturn last week's 3-1 defeat to the same opposition, the Wanderers managed to manufacture exactly that. They may still be hurting from losing the grand final to Brisbane Roar, but the Wanderers showed admirable resilience to progress to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League in their first ever campaign.
And Shinji Ono couldn't have asked for a better finale to his two-year stint at Western Sydney - named player of the match for his excellent performance.
Shinji Ono played his last match for Western Sydney on Wednesday night and the Japanese midfielder bowed out in style, playing a starring role as the Wanderers moved into the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.
The 34-year-old will return to Japan to play for second division side Consadole Sapporo and Wanderers coach Tony Popovic says Ono has left his mark on the Wanderers' legacy.
"I thought Shinji was outstanding," Popovic said.
"He was disappointed after the grand final, like everyone was, but he was special tonight and you can see the quality he has against the champions of Japan, to play like that. We'll always remember this night, that's for sure."
Departing Western Sydney marquee Shinji Ono believes confidence was the key for the Wanderers as they claimed a remarkable 2-0 victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima to reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.
It wasn't only Ono's last game for the Wanderers, with Youssouf Hersi moving on to Perth Glory, Aaron Mooy off to Melbourne Heart and Jerome Polenz likely to leave the club too.
The rebuilding will begin in earnest during the off-season, but Popovic says that's all part of football.
"They were all outstanding, but you've got players who are leaving the club and they performed to that level," Popovic said.
"It just shows the bond these players have. They will always be remembered, but that's part of football - you move on."
The Fox Sports panel dissect Western Sydney's remarkable 2-0 victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima to progress to the ACL quarter-finals.
The Wanderers began the second half with a flurry of shots. Two from Labinot Haliti and a left-footed follow-up by Iacopo La Rocco, but they were all saved. La Rocca had another chance moments later when he rose to meet Shinji Ono's corner, only to head the ball over the bar.
But the Wanderers finally had something to show for the pressure in the 55th minute when Cole, who had only come on moments earlier for Antony Golec, powered his shot into the back of the net with his first touch of the ball.
The 11,000 strong crowd at Pirtek Stadium erupted. Job half done.
Cole was in action again minutes later, when his sizzling cross reached Hersi, but the winger could only manage to stab his attempt wide. Hersi, playing in his final game for the Wanderers, missed a similar chance later on.
With Western Sydney chasing another goal, coach Tony Popovic brought on the club's top scorer Tomi Juric for Haliti and played his final card by replacing Jason Trifiro with Kwabena Appiah.
Yojiro Takahagi of Sanfrecce Hiroshima is tackled by Michael Beauchamp. Source: Getty Images
But it was Santalab's thunderous 84th minute strike that finally completed the job for the Wanderers.
The home side spent most of the first half walking a tightrope. Some uncharacteristic defensive errors from Matthew Spiranovic on the day he was selected in the Socceroos World Cup squad put Ante Covic under pressure.
The Wanderers goalkeeper pulled off a good save early on to keep Notsuda Gakuto out, and luck was certainly on Covic's side a few minutes later when he got away with bringing the same player down in the box. It looked a clear penalty, but the referee waved play on.
Shinji Ono of the Wanderers went out on a winning note. Source: Getty Images
Jason Trifiro and Ono were the standout players in the opening 45 minutes, with Trifiro covering well in the midfield and Ono providing the creative spark - as he has done so magically for two seasons.
The Japanese star, playing in his last ever game for Western Sydney, narrowly missed the target with an attempt from outside of the box that went inches over the bar. Moments later it was the departing duo of Ono and Youssouf Hersi who combined well, but Hersi's skewed attempt flew over the net.
Neither Hersi nor Ono may have scored, but both have been instrumental to the Wanderers' success and won't be easily replaced.
Re-live the famous victory in our blog below.
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