Baccus blast helps Wanderers claim win
A clinical finish from Keanu Baccus put Western Sydney on their way to a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Central Coast Mariners.
Baccus struck with a fizzing low shot from outside the area three minutes into added time at the end of the first half, giving Wanderers a big psychological boost.
The Mariners, who had had decent chances in the first half, weren't able to respond and slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat.
Jaushua Sotirio fired in a second goal midway through the second half for Western Sydney as they claimed the three points at Spotless Stadium, moving them into the top six.
The visitors would have felt unlucky not to be ahead when Baccus struck, having seen both Michael McGlinchey and Connor Pain denied by keeper Vedran Janjetovic.
Baccus took a good first touch to set himself up for his powerful drive beyond the dive of Ben Kennedy to put the hosts in front with virtually the last kick of the half.
Markus Babbel's side went onto secure just their second clean sheet of the campaign, helped by the presence of veteran defender Patrick Ziegler on his league debut.
Western Sydney were dominant in the second half and doubled their lead on 68 minutes. Bruce Kamau's shot from 18 yards was blocked by Kennedy but the rebound went just far enough to give Jaushua Sotirio the chance to bury a follow-up effort underneath the keeper.
Babbel acknowledged it had been a risk to put Ziegler straight into the starting line-up against the Mariners, after he'd been sidelined for more than two months.
"But the game was too important today," he said. "Patrick is a top-class player; if he's on the pitch, players around him feel more confident, feel better and for me, it was clear that he can play a top performance.
Wanderers are 13/5 to win their next game against Sydney FC, who are 19/20 with the draw 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
A clinical finish from Keanu Baccus put Western Sydney on their way to a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Central Coast Mariners.
Baccus struck with a fizzing low shot from outside the area three minutes into added time at the end of the first half, giving Wanderers a big psychological boost.
The Mariners, who had had decent chances in the first half, weren't able to respond and slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat.
Jaushua Sotirio fired in a second goal midway through the second half for Western Sydney as they claimed the three points at Spotless Stadium, moving them into the top six.
The visitors would have felt unlucky not to be ahead when Baccus struck, having seen both Michael McGlinchey and Connor Pain denied by keeper Vedran Janjetovic.
Baccus took a good first touch to set himself up for his powerful drive beyond the dive of Ben Kennedy to put the hosts in front with virtually the last kick of the half.
Markus Babbel's side went onto secure just their second clean sheet of the campaign, helped by the presence of veteran defender Patrick Ziegler on his league debut.
Western Sydney were dominant in the second half and doubled their lead on 68 minutes. Bruce Kamau's shot from 18 yards was blocked by Kennedy but the rebound went just far enough to give Jaushua Sotirio the chance to bury a follow-up effort underneath the keeper.
Babbel acknowledged it had been a risk to put Ziegler straight into the starting line-up against the Mariners, after he'd been sidelined for more than two months.
"But the game was too important today," he said. "Patrick is a top-class player; if he's on the pitch, players around him feel more confident, feel better and for me, it was clear that he can play a top performance.
Wanderers are 13/5 to win their next game against Sydney FC, who are 19/20 with the draw 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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