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THE WANDERERThe views in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Material in this publication is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission from the club.

ADVERTISINGFor all advertising enquiries for The Wanderer or partnership with the club contact the Corporate Partnerships Team by sending an email to corporate@wswanderersfc.com.au or visit corporate.wanderland.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHYAll photography in The Wanderer is courtesy of Ali Erhan, Getty Images, Kellie Lemon and Steve Christo.

REGULAR COLUMNS

THE LETTER 5

WARM UP 6

FIVE THINGS 11

PLAYERS TO WATCH 13Brought to you by Turner and Freeman

TODAY’S MATCH 16

JUNIOR WANDERER ZONE 18

TAKE FIVE 25Brought to you by Turner and Freeman

IN THE COMMUNITY 27

CORPORATE NEWS 29

OUR PARTNERS 31

FEATURES

THE NEW GUARD 8He may have had an unconventional start to his career, but youngster Jordan O’Doherty has quickly become one Wanderer to watch

LEDBROOK MAKING HER MARK 14Veteran midfielder Kylie Ledbrook has continued to make her mark in the Westfield W-League.

Y-LEAGUE TEAM POWERING FORWARD 20The Wanderers Foxtel Y-League team have continued their surge at the top of the table after their fourth win in a row over Christmas

RISDON THE SOCCEROO 22Josh Risdon has been selected in the Caltex Socceroos squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup this month

GO TO THREE MORE

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Red or Black? Take your Pick!

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It’s plain and simple. We have to find a way. It’s been a tough start to the Hyundai A-League season for us, it’s come with it’s own set of challenges but we’re on a path to redemption and things are starting to look up. Without doubt, it’s been hard for us a playing group and I really feel for our members and fans because they deserve more and the last few results have been really tough to take. We’ve been working hard this week in training and have kept our focus on

continuing to improve, together as one team. We’ve got a lot of great leaders in this team and a lot of experience. Yeah I wear the armband, but there’s your Mark Bridge’s, Vedran Janjetovic’s and Oriol Riera’s plus plenty more in the squad that have a lot of experience. We have everyone together united to have a crack this year and I’ve got that support. I’m going to lean on the boys as much as I can to be as successful as we can this year because at this club it’s all about

winning titles and chasing honours. It’s no different this year. Brendan Hamill. Captain. Member #108985.

Mitsubishi Electric, proudly supportingThe Western Sydney Wanderers FC.

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Red or Black? Take your Pick!

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The Western Sydney Wanderers tonight switch focus to Melbourne Victory in their second match against the club

this season.Babbel’s men will be looking to turn the tide on their season following a very disappointing defeat to Melbourne City mid-week.Two goals in two first half minutes helped a 10-man Melbourne City defeat the Wanderers 2-0 in the first Hyundai A-League fixture of 2019.The visitors stunned the Wanderers late in the opening 45, capitalising on two defensive fades and producing quickfire strikes from Lachlan Wales and Ritchie De Laet.City’s two-goal buffer looked less secure following the 57th minute dismissal of Rostyn Griffiths, but the Wanderers were unable to take advantage and saw a frustrating evening underlined by Oriol Riera’s missed penalty and some sensational goalkeeper from Eugene Galekovic.It was not all doom and gloom for the Red & Black with the Wanderers able to take something about of the fantastic individual performance of Alexander Baumjohann, as well as the energetic display from Abraham Majok who came on as a substitute late in the second half.

Alex Baumjohann focused

at training

Victory, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten run in the Hyundai A-League to eight games after a 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix last Friday night.Ola Toivonen scored yet again at AAMI Park, cancelling out David Williams’ second-half opener for Phoenix.The result was enough to move Victory to the top of the table for now with the club needing a win to secure their spot at the top.The last time these two sides met, Victory sent

MATCH PREVIEW

an ominous warning to the rest of the Hyundai A-League, crushing the Red & Black 4-0.Victory played out on an attacking masterclass, putting the result beyond doubt by half-time as they scored three goals inside 39 minutes before former Wanderer Terry Antonis added a fourth late on.The Red & Black will need to be on alert tonight and ready to fire to kick-start their positive start to the season, and it all begins tonight against the Victory.

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Welcome to tonight’s Hyundai A-League match against Melbourne Victory at ANZ Stadium.It’s been a challenging season so far for both our Hyundai A-League

and Westfield W-League teams who have struggled to have a positive start to the New Year.There have been many lessons learnt so far and there’s no doubt both will find form and finish the season off with a bang.Our Westfield W-League team aren’t in action this week as they had their mid-week double header clash against Melbourne Victory on New Year’s Day.Goals to Tameka Butt and substitute Adriana Jones cancelled out a spectacular opening strike from Georgia Yeoman-Dale as we came very close to breaking our winless run.We couldn’t have wished for a better start to the Westfield W-League action in 2019 when Yeoman-Dale took a chance in the 14th minute.With City goalkeeper Lydia Williams off her line, Yeoman-Dale received the ball ins pace about 25-yards-out and took her shot first time, the ball curling into the left corner.We sat back and a defensive lapse proved costly with Butt given both space and time to equalise.10 minutes from time, Jones snatched the winner rounding goalkeeper Nicole Simonsen and rolling the ball into an empty net.We pushed hard for an equaliser late on, with both Elizabeth Addo and Yeoman-Dale coming close, but it wasn’t meant to be.We have now been working hard this week for our next match, the Sydney Derby on Thursday night, and hope to see you there supporting the girls!

MATCH DETAILS CAN BE FOUND AT WSWANDERERSFC.COM.AU

Australia’s number one capped women’s national team player Julie Dolan was born on this day in 1961. Now a resident of the Central Coast, Dolan captained Australia in the Matildas’ first A international match, against New Zealand at Seymour Shaw Park in the Sutherland Shire in 1979. The Julie Dolan Medal is now awarded to the Westfield W-League player of the year.

Read more about Julie Dolan and every other Australian women’s team player

in Andrew’s upcoming publication, the Encyclopedia of Matildas, now available

for pre-order from fairplaypublishing.com.au.

ON THIS DAY

FIELD REPORTER

COURTESY OF ANDREW HOWE @ANDYHOWE_STATTO

CATHERINE CANNULI @CANNULI_13

SUPPORT OUR WANDER WOMEN

BY TUNING INTO THE WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE

ROUND 11 MATCH AND ON THE

MYFOOTBALLLIVE APP

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THE NEW GUARD

HE MAY HAVE HAD AN UNCONVENTIONAL START TO HIS CAREER, BUT YOUNGSTER JORDAN O’DOHERTY HAS QUICKLY BECOME ONE WANDERER TO WATCH

Joining the club during the off-season this year from Adelaide United, Wanderer Jordan O’Doherty has cemented himself in the Wanderers starting XI and has become a symbol of the next generation of Red & Black.Born in Palma de Mallorca in Spain, O’Doherty migrated with his family as a youngster to South Australia, which is also where his football career started as a junior.

10

“My family’s actually from Europe so we moved over when I was four year’s old and we just sort of went into the South Australian League there,” explained O’Doherty.“We didn’t really know anything about it so up until 12-years-old, I was playing in the amateur league and played for a couple of clubs there. “My main junior club was Adelaide Croatia Raiders.”O’Doherty’s breakthrough into the Hyundai A-League system was unconventional to say the least, having been plucked out of the amateur league and being thrown into the professional football environment at only 15 year’s of age.“My pathway was probably a bit absurd compared to most players that are playing in the Hyundai A-League,” said O’Doherty. “So I didn’t go through the system, I didn’t do the state teams and that.“I made my debut in the National Premier League in South Australia when I was 15 and played a whole season there.

“It was at that point when I got into the youth team at Adelaide United, I played there for a bit, after the NPL season there. “(Former Adelaide United Coach) Guillermo Amor signed me with the senior team on my first scholarship deal so that was the little pathway for me to get to the senior team.”O’Doherty went on to make 28 appearances for Adelaide and scored one goal.Prior to joining the Red & Black this season, the 23-year-old talented midfielder admitted he had a bit of a soft spot for the club and often watched matches for the passionate members and fans that now cheer him on.“Before I even started playing football for the club, I used to enjoy watching the Wanderers mainly for the crowd, you know when they first came into the league, I thought the crowd was unbelievable,” said O’Doherty. “I think everyone could say that they brought the best atmosphere.“Back at when the club was at Pirtek Stadium, I always enjoyed watching the club just for that.

(Left to right) O'Doherty controls the ball against the

Jets; O'Doherty makes his Hyundai A-League debut for

the club in the Sydney Derby

“Obviously during my time at Adelaide, I came up against the club a couple times and we always had good crowds and they showed a lot of passion.”“When I first found out there was an opportunity to come here, I was very excited, especially because of that.”O’Doherty has been part of a new guard of Wanderers that have been shaping the future path of the club.Dominating the midfield with fellow youngster, Keanu Baccus, O’Doherty has been an instrumental piece in the Wanderers campaign since making his Hyundai A-League debut for the club in the first Sydney Derby of the season.“I’ve enjoyed my time so far at the club and I’ve settled in nicely,” said O’Doherty.

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“The boys are really welcoming and everyone else at the club has been welcoming as well.“It was an honour to put the shirt on for the very first time (at the Sydney Derby) and like I said, I love the fans.”Looking towards the future, O’Doherty is determined to make his mark at the club and win some silverware.“Look I think mainly we just want to work hard as a team because we all want to win something here,” said O’Doherty.

“The club deserves to win something. Obviously, the Wanderers have won trophies before but we’re really striving for some Hyundai A-League silverware.“I think we’re showing good signs and we’re working hard as a team day in and day out at training.“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”And since this is only the beginning of O’Doherty’s impact at the Wanderers, there’s no doubt that there’s plenty more good things to come.

13 43 63turnerfreeman.com.au

SYDNEY PARRAMATTA PENRITH CAMPBELLTOWN WOLLONGONG NEWCASTLE

WE TURN LIVES AROUND

For over 60 years Turner Freeman has been turning workers’ lives around by fighting and winning compensation claims against big corporations and insurance companies.

proud supporter and legal partner of the western sydney wanderers fc

Asbestos claims

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Road accident claims

Public place accidents

Medical negligence

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The Wanderers snapped up Mahazi for the balance of the season last October with the midfielder joining the club from Victorian Premier League club Moreland Zebras. Mahazi has had a wealth of experience in the Hyundai A-League, having played in over 90 matches for today’s opponent Melbourne Victory, winning both the Championship and Premiership in 2014/15 as well as the FFA Cup in 2015.

Rahmat Akbari began his career as a junior with Brisbane strikers before signing for Brisbane Roar where he made six appearances last season. Akbari joined Melbourne Victory this season and has since made five appearances to date.

13 43 63turnerfreeman.com.au

SYDNEY PARRAMATTA PENRITH CAMPBELLTOWN WOLLONGONG NEWCASTLE

WE TURN LIVES AROUND

For over 60 years Turner Freeman has been turning workers’ lives around by fighting and winning compensation claims against big corporations and insurance companies.

proud supporter and legal partner of the western sydney wanderers fc

Asbestos claims

Workers compensation claims

Road accident claims

Public place accidents

Medical negligence

Conveyancing

Family law

Employment law

Wills & probate

Will disputes

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU:

No win, no fee*

Home and hospital visits available

Obligation-free consultation

Free case assessment

National strength – local focus

HOW WE MAKE IT EASY:

*Conditions apply in some cases

Our team’s goal is to win your case

7119_TF_WSW_Mag_A4_6.indd 1 25/9/17 12:50 pm

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VETERAN MIDFIELDER KYLIE LEDBROOK HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE HER MARK IN THE WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE

LEDBROOK MAKING HER MARK

Having started her career during the inaugural season of the Westfield W-League, Ledbrook has become a namesake associated with the national competition.

Her career has seen her amass a number of appearances and close to 20 goals, making her a vital acquisition for the Red & Black this season.Ledbrook came to the Wanderers with a wealth of experience under her belt representing Australia in the U20 World Cup, the Olympic Games and the AFC Asian Cup in 2010. Capped 19-times by the Westfield Matildas, Ledbrook said she was excited to link-up with her local club for the very first time. “Coming over to the Wanderers, I was very excited,” said Ledbrook.“I was a little bit anxious about what was going to happen but I was confident with the team that we selected.

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LEDBROOK MAKING HER MARK

“Unfortunately, throughout the season we haven’t been able to get three points yet but I know that’s coming, it’s our time.”Ledbrook’s entire Westfield W-League career was spent at the Sky Blues prior to making the switch.In 2013, Ledbrook retired from professional football to set up her career off the field and focus on her family and after playing casually with the Macarthur Rams in the NSW NPL Women’s competition she decided to return back to top tier football last season. Ledbrook was prominent upon her return to the competition and led the Sky Blues to the Grand Final, appearing in every match and scoring six goals. Following the switch to the Red & Black, Ledbrook’s has become an influence leading both on and off the field, an inspiration to the next generation of Wanderers coming through Dan Barrett’s ranks. “We’ve been training hard, going through different kinds of game plans,” said Ledbrook.“I’m confident that the team’s going to come along in the long run.“The club has definitely looked after me, as you know I’ve got a family as well so they’ve been very supportive in that direction.”Scoring her first goal for the club against Melbourne Victory,

(Left to right) Ledbrook goes in

for a challenge against Victory;

Ledbrook celebrates her first goal

for the club

Ledbrook said a fellow player inspired her to make the epic strike from halfway.“It was one of the players, Pommy (Caitlin Jarvie) that turned around to me prior to the game and said, you know you’ve got the technique. You just need to shoot when you’ve got the opportunity. “It kind of just came into my head against the Victory.“You know there were a couple of times I was screaming for the ball so I could have a shot, and then, I finally got it and went nah, this is it.“I’m just going to take it on my own and just have a shot.”Ledbrook, who is balancing a career outside of football, family, and the sport itself, believes the key motivation for her extensive career has been inspiring her family. “It’s definitely been tough, two kids, one’s nearly four and one’s one, so they notice that I’m not home a lot. “But to have them at the game, run on after the game, and be so happy when I score.“My daughter’s like “You scored for me!”“But it’s definitely tough in the long run, it’s all for them and it’s about them understanding that you can balance everything, and just do what you love and at this point this is what I love.”

TONIGHT'S MATCHSCORE

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CORRECT AS OF ROUND 10

ROUND 11 MATCHES

CLUB P W D L PTS1 GLORY 10 7 2 1 23

2 VICTORY 10 6 2 2 20

3 SYDNEY FC 10 6 2 2 20

4 CITY 10 5 2 3 17

5 UNITED 10 4 3 3 15

6 PHOENIX 10 4 3 3 15

7 JETS 10 3 2 5 11

8 WANDERERS FC 10 2 3 5 9

9 ROAR 10 1 3 6 6

10 MARINERS 10 0 2 8 2

SQUADS B # NAME POSITION SPONSOR¨ ¨ 1 Danijel NIZIC Goalkeeper Centuria¨ ¨ 4 Joshua RISDON Defender Pepper Money¨ ¨ 5 Brendan HAMILL Defender Vaccaro Group¨ ¨ 6 Kosta GROZOS Forward G.P.P. Skip Bins¨ ¨ 7 Nick FITZGERALD Forward McDonald's¨ ¨ 8 Jordan O'DOHERTY Midfielder JD Sports¨ ¨ 9 Oriol RIERA Forward Mitsubishi Electric¨ ¨ 10 Alex BAUMJOHANN Midfielder Aqualand¨ ¨ 11 Bruce KAMAU Forward Castle Hill Hyundai¨ ¨ 13 Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS Defender Hertz¨ ¨ 16 Jaushua SOTIRIO Forward¨ ¨ 17 Keanu BACCUS Midfielder Best Signs¨ ¨ 18 Mark TOKICH Midfielder Pronto Cloud¨ ¨ 19 Mark BRIDGE Forward Turner Freeman Lawyers¨ ¨ 20 Vedran JANJETOVIC Goalkeeper Joe Black¨ ¨ 21 Tarek ELRICH Defender Transport for NSW¨ ¨ 22 Rashid MAHAZI Midfielder Club Marconi¨ ¨ 23 Lachlan SCOTT Forward¨ ¨ 24 Raul LLORENTE Defender Access Fire¨ ¨ 28 Roly BONEVACIA Midfielder Multiquip¨ ¨ 32 John ROBERTS Forward¨ ¨ 33 Tate RUSSELL Defender¨ ¨ 34 Patrick ZIEGLER Defender Wet'N'Wild¨ ¨ 40 Nicholas SUMAN Goalkeeper¨ ¨ 49 Abraham MAJOK Forward Western Sydney University¨ ¨ Kwame YEBOAH Forward

COACH ASSISTANT COACHESMarkus BABBEL Jean-Paul DE MARIGNY

Arthur DILES

Davide DEL GIOVINE

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SQUAD# NAME POSITION S B1 Matthew ACTON Goalkeeper ¨ ¨

2 Storm ROUX Defender ¨ ¨

3 Corey BROWN Defender ¨ ¨

4 Keisuke HONDA Forward ¨ ¨

5 Georg NIEDERMEIER Defender ¨ ¨

6 Leigh BROXHAM Midfielder ¨ ¨

7 Kenjok ATHIU Forward ¨ ¨

8 Terry ANTONIS Midfielder ¨ ¨

9 Kosta BARBAROUSES Forward ¨ ¨

10 James TRIOSI Forward ¨ ¨

11 Nils Ola TOIVONEN Forward ¨ ¨

13 Birkan KIRDAR Midfielder ¨ ¨

14 Thomas DENG Defender ¨ ¨

15 Raul BAENA Midfielder ¨ ¨

16 Joshua HOPE Midfielder ¨ ¨

19 Rahmat AKBARI Midfielder ¨ ¨

20 Lawrence THOMAS Goalkeeper ¨ ¨

21 Carl VALERI Midfielder ¨ ¨

22 Nicholas ANSELL Defender ¨ ¨

23 Jai INGHAM Forward ¨ ¨

25 Birkan KIRDAR Midfielder ¨ ¨

26 Nicholas SETTE Forward ¨ ¨

30 Matthew SUTTON Goalkeeper ¨ ¨

COACH ASSISTANT COACHESKevin MUSCAT Carlo PEREZ SALVACHUA

Jess VANSTRATTAN

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ROUND 10 MATCHES

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CLUB P W D L PTS

1 VICTORY 8 5 1 2 16

2 UNITED 8 4 3 1 15

3 ROAR 8 4 2 2 14

4 GLORY 8 3 4 1 13

5 CITY 8 4 1 3 13

6 SYDNEY FC 7 3 0 4 9

7 CANBERRA 8 2 3 3 9

8 JETS 7 2 1 4 7

9 WANDERERS FC 8 0 1 7 1

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Can you spot the five differences below?

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1. Which Wanderers Westfield W-League player scored their first goal for the club on Tuesday night against Melbourne City? Georgia Yeoman-Dale

2. Following tonight’s match, how many times have the Wanderers faced Melbourne Victory this season? Two

3. Who will be the Wanderers next opponent in both the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League? Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC

4. Wanderers new signing Kwame Yeboah previously played at which Hyundai A-League club? Brisbane Roar

This week’s gorgeous junior Wanderer of the Week is

Wynter! Wynter finally got to meet her Westfield W-League hero Erica Halloway on Tuesday following our match against Melbourne City after begging her parents to attend a game for the last few months! Thanks for your support Wynter.

Are you A Junior Wanderer? Snap a photo and tag @wswanderersfc on Instagram to feature in the next issue of The Wanderer.

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Junior Quiz Answers: 1.Georgia Yeoman-Dale 2. Two 3. Wellington Phoenix (A-League) and Sydney FC (W-League) 4. Brisbane Roar. Spot the Difference answers: 1. The Wanderers logo is missing off Kylie Ledbrook's jersey 2.Part of Georgia Yeoman-Dale's surname is missing 3. Erica Halloway's headband is green 4. The Nike tick is missing from Leena Khamis' sock 5. A hoop is missing from Georgia Yeoman-Dale's jersey.

We’ve got some tips this week on how you eat better to put you on a

path of having great health!1. Start the day with a healthy

breakfast. It refuels the body and provides energy for the day.

2. Make sure you take time eating and chew slowly! It takes 20 minutes for the brain to tell the body that you are full!

3. Aim to eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. Aim for a total of two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables each day.

It’s game day! Thanks for joining us at tonight’s blockbuster match

against Melbourne Victory at ANZ Stadium. We’re really excited to see how the boys go against one of our biggest rivals during this Summer of Heroes period.

It’s been great to see both our Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League teams back in action earlier this week with our traditional New Year’s

Day double header against Melbourne City.

It was so much fun to be part of the penalty shoot-out at half-time as the goalkeepers and it was awesome to meet so many junior Wanderers who played on the big stage during our Miniroos matches.

Today, we’ve been part of Mitsubishi Electric’s pre-match football clinic and it was very cool to play football and learn how a healthy lifestyle and fresh food gives the Wanderers the edge.

‘Fast’ Ed was also around to give parents expert advice on a healthy summer lifestyle and shared his favourite recipes that kids, families and foodies alike can enjoy.

Make sure you if you see us around at tonight’s match that you say hi and take a photo with us! Come on you Wanderers!

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THE WANDERERS FOXTEL Y-LEAGUE TEAM HAVE CONTINUED THEIR SURGE AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE AFTER THEIR FOURTH WIN IN A ROW OVER CHRISTMAS

The Red & Black defeated Canberra United 4-0 at Valentine Sports Park to hold onto their place at the top of the table.

A Mohamed Adam double, plus goals from Andrea Agamemnonos and Fabian Monge, ensured a comfortable win for the Wanderers who now sit six points clear at the top of the Foxtel Y-League’s Conference B table.

The match was less than two minutes old when the Wanderers opened the scoring. Monge and Marley Peterson were involved in the build-up, setting up Agamemnonos who finished well from inside the penalty area.The Wanderers grew in confidence after the early goal, dominating possession and restricting Canberra’s opportunities to counter. Just before the half-hour mark, it looked like the Wanderers would extend their lead after Canberra’s goalkeeper Finn Jurak fumbled a cross from Oliver Wiggin, but play was stopped for a foul.Soon afterwards, Daniel Wilmering found Monge in space, as he unleashed a stinging 30-yard drive, which Jurak did well to push out for a corner.

Y-LEAGUE TEAM POWERING FORWARD

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The pressure paid off, as the Red & Black doubled their lead just before half-time. Adam’s persistence led him to win a free-kick in a good position, which he took himself, curling the ball into the top corner to make it 2-0.Peterson then had his own chance to make it three after getting behind the defence, but Jurak wasn’t able to make the save. However, there wasn’t much time until the next goal, early in the second half the Wanderers took a 3-0 lead.

A nice short-corner routine found Wilmering in space, as he cut the ball back for Adam to get his second of the match. At the other end of the field, a Canberra set piece led to a chance, but Wanderers goalkeeper Jack Greenwood was able to make the save comfortably.Wiggin, making his first Foxtel Y-League start for the Wanderers, was looking lively on the wing as he fired in a dangerous cross, which was almost converted by Adam, before having a chance of his own which was saved by Jurak. In the dying minutes, Oliver Puflett combined with Adam and Lochlan Constable to find Monge in space on the edge of the area and he made no mistake, picking out the top corner of the goal. The win saw the Wanderers go six points clear at the top of the table ahead of this Thursday’s clash against Newcastle Jets. The Wanderers final match of the regular season in Conference B will be against their cross-city rivals Sydney FC.

(Top to bottom) Abraham Majok

makes a run; Tate Russell controls

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Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold called up Risdon as part of the extended squad and is one of three Hyundai A-League

players selected to be part of the squad. The squad have assembled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Australia’s pre-tournament training camp since Boxing Day and will open their AFC Asian Cup campaign against Jordan in the Jazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on January 6.After featuring and playing in all three 2019 FIFA World Cup games that the Socceroos played in, Risdon has cemented his position in the national team at the right-back position.

JOSH RISDON HAS BEEN SELECTED IN THE CALTEX SOCCEROOS SQUAD FOR THE 2019 AFC ASIAN CUP THIS MONTH

RISDON THE SOCCEROO

The tournament will see Australia look to defend their title after winning the previous edition of the tournament in 2015 on home soil. Moreover, 19 of the 23 players set to represent the green and gold in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 have played in the Hyundai A-League at some point in their professional careers, highlighting the pathway Australia’s top-flight paves to the most elite levels of the game. 22 of these 23 players that have been selected for Australia’s AFC Asian Cup charge have been part of either camps of matches under Arnold since September.

Since making the move to the Wanderers last season, Risdon has earned regular game time with the national team thanks to his consistent performances and ability to attack down the right. Risdon was particularly instrumental in the national team’s victories against Syria and Honduras in the FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs came with no shortage of assistance from Risdon, who played 90 minutes in each of the away legs making him one for opponents to keep an eye on. The Socceroos have had a cruisy start to their preparations after outclassing Oman 5-0 in their final tournament friendly. Former Wanderer Christ Ikonomidis and Milos Degendek opened their international accounts while Andrew Nabbout, Awer Mabil and substitute Jackson Irvine were also on target as the Asian Champions issued a statement of intent in Dubai. Three goals in the opening 24 minutes gave a porous Oman little hope of avoiding a first defeat in 15 matches and set the Socceroos on the right course ahead of Sunday’s Group B opener against Jordan.

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Josh Risdon with the ball against

South Korea

Following Australia’s match against Jordan in Al Ain on Sunday, the Socceroos will face off against opponents Palestine on January 11 and Syria on January 15. Eight venues in four cities – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain will host matches for the Asian up and it all kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 5 January. Risdon will be unavailable for selection for the Wanderers throughout the duration of the tournament.

DON'T MISS ANY OF THE SOCCEROOS ACTION IN THE AFC ASIAN CUP 2019!

SUNDAY 6 JANUARY Australia vs Jordan Kick-Off 10:00pm

FRIDAY 11 JANUARY| Palestine vs Australia Kick-Off 10:00pm

WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY Australia vs Syria Kick-Off 12:30am

YOU CAN CATCH ALL THE MATCHES LIVE ON FOX SPORTS

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It was very different moving to Australia last year.When I made the decision last year, it was

different, and after playing over 100 games in La Liga and also in the second division in Spain, I spoke to my family and said that I thought I needed something new.I needed something very, very different and something also that helps me improve as a player.When I was growing up, I trained with my father and then when I went to La Masia, I started training with the squad there doing everything technically and tactically.At La Masia, in particular, it’s not just about football. You have to have good exam results, otherwise you are out.I started playing football when I was just five year’s old.I went to Barcelona, to Espanyol, when I was 10 and everything changed because I grew up in a small town, about 70 kilometres from

Barcelona and everything was very different.Teammates were different, the language also different because we speak Catalan and Spanish in Barcelona so you have to adapt with the language and the new style of life.I had to go three or four days a week in taxi to go to Barcelona, one to go and one to come back and to combine football with school was very different and very difficult.Football was part of my life when I had training with the junior teams and when I wasn’t at training, I was always playing football with my friends.I think football will be part of my life forever.

STRIKER ORIOL RIERA OPENS UP ON THE WHY HE MADE THE BIG MOVE TO WESTERN SYDNEY LAST SEASON

LISTEN TO OUR SUMMER OF HEROES PLAYLIST HERE SPOTIFY.COM/USER/WSWANDERERSFC

SUMMER CALVIN HARRISHEROES DAVID BOWIE1999 CHARLIE XCXFIRE PEAKING DUCKEASTSIDE BENNY BLANCO, HALSEY & KHALID

ONE KISS DUA LIPAYOUNGBLOOD ANGUS & JULIA STONESUPERHEROES THE SCRIPTWASTE IT ON ME STEVE AOKISUNFLOWER POST MALONE

Who do we slow for? Slow down for Wanderers.

Too many lives are lost to speeding. So this season, dozens of young

Wanderers’ fans have come together to send a message to all road users.

They want you slow down, to protect the lives of thier mothers and fathers,

sisters and brothers. Who do you slow for?

Watch thier passionate chant on at facebook.com/TransportforNSW

Too many lives are lost to speeding. So this season, dozens of young

Wanderers’ fans have come together to send a message to all road users.

They want you to slow down, to protect the lives of their mothers and

fathers, sisters and brothers. Who do you slow for?

Visit towardszero.nsw.gov.au/sponsorships/westernsydneywanderers

For everyone on our roads, slow down.

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This week’s Centuria Wandercrew volunteer of the Week is Matt Squadrito! Matt helps out as part of our

Promotional Ambassador team handing out The Wanderer at our home match days.

SIGN UP TODAY TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE CLUB VISIT WANDERLAND.COM.AU/WANDERCREW

HELPING OUT

SUMMER OF HEROES

It’s the Summer of Heroes as together with the Football Federation of Australia will see more games, more goals and more

heroes rise during the summer period.Beginning on Thursday 27 December, there will be 45 matches over 28 days across the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League competitions for members and fans to watch.In a special promotion across all Hyundai A-League matches, fans will be able to purchase family tickets starting from $49*.FFA CEO David Gallop is excited about the quality and quantity of football matches that will be on fans this Summer.“We’ve already seen plenty of outstanding performances by our heroes in the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League,” said Gallop.“This summer is a perfect opportunity for

fans to get out and watch matches live, on TV, or by streaming.“We have also worked closely with all Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League clubs to provide a special ticketing offer for families.“With the Caltex Socceroos at the AFC Asian Cup in the UAE, this will be an exciting action packed period for Australian football,” concluded Gallop.Tonight’s Hyundai A-League match forms the Wanderers second home match in week, with the third following on Tuesday night against Wellington Phoenix at ANZ Stadium.The Red & Black’s Westfield W-League team will also wrap up their regular season during the Summer of Heroes taking on Sydney FC next Thursday night at Leichhardt Oval followed by their final match of the season against Adelaide United on Saturday 19 January at Marden Sports Complex.

Who do we slow for? Slow down for Wanderers.

Too many lives are lost to speeding. So this season, dozens of young

Wanderers’ fans have come together to send a message to all road users.

They want you slow down, to protect the lives of thier mothers and fathers,

sisters and brothers. Who do you slow for?

Watch thier passionate chant on at facebook.com/TransportforNSW

Too many lives are lost to speeding. So this season, dozens of young

Wanderers’ fans have come together to send a message to all road users.

They want you to slow down, to protect the lives of their mothers and

fathers, sisters and brothers. Who do you slow for?

Visit towardszero.nsw.gov.au/sponsorships/westernsydneywanderers

For everyone on our roads, slow down.

TTN0010 - PrintAd_A4 v2.indd 1 18/12/17 4:22 pm

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A PARTNERSHIP WITH MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

Mitsubishi Electric are proud to partner with the Western Sydney Wanderers FC as the back of jersey

partner again for the 2018/2019 season. In October 2017 Mitsubishi Electric celebrated McHappy Day with a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Westmead. Mitsubishi Electric is proud to be making another donation to the Ronald McDonald House at a match day activation to support those in need.

The commitment to work together long term provides a wonderful connection between the strong international brand of Mitsubishi Electric and the Western Sydney community with the Australian based head office being located in the Parramatta area.Since the partnership began in 2013, the Wanderers have embodied on of our company’s guiding principles, community, through their promotion of health, integrity, and youth participation in grassroots programs in Western Sydney. The positive impact on the area is truly inspiring and we’re thrilled to support this.

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CO-MAJOR PARTNERS

SENIOR PARTNERS

FOUNDATION PARTNERS

Access Fire ProtectionAccor HotelsAGS Structural Alex&Co.Australian Turf ClubBlacktown Workers ClubBleasdale National ContractorsCastle Hill HyundaiCity of Parramatta

Cucina 105CyientEvent CinemasFirst Phase FootballFour J’s Cleaning ServicesG.P.P. Skip BinsHertzHouse With No StepsIcons of Sport

Industrial HarvestJDC Prime HoldingsJoe BlackM&J ChickensMultiquip TransportNational Projects & MaintenancePLAYRPodiatry OnePronto Cloud

Sound AgentsStulzSydney Olympic Park AuthorityThai Airways InternationalUFC GYM Blacktown Waterview in Bicentennial ParkWet‘N’Wild Sydney

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