Super Sub Santalab Helps Wanderers To 2-1 Victory Over Adelaide
Western Sydney Wanderers enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United on Friday at Coopers Stadium, after losing 3-1 during their previous match in the A-league Grand Final of 2016.
Last Saturday the Wanderers went down 4-0 to Sydney FC in their derby match, not a great way to kick off their A-league 2016/17 season, but it looks like coach Tony Popovic has already started to sort out teething problems.
Adelaide had been the better side during the first half, taking the lead just before half-time, when Henrique blasted the ball high past Andrew Redmayne, following Ryan Kitto’s cutback, his first goal for the Reds.
But super sub Brendon Santalab came off the bench just after the hour mark to bag a brace in the final 25 minutes of the game, one in the 67th minute to even the tie, the other from a Mitch Nichols cross.
“We needed to react. Last week simply wasn’t good enough for us,” Santalab told Fox Sports.
“Tonight’s win is for our fans we disappointed so much last week. I asked for character from the boys this week and we definitely got that.
“It’s nice to always score but what’s important tonight is the win.
“To lose 4-0 last week (and to be) 1-0 down and come from behind is fantastic and it shows the character of the squad.”
The match started with a boom after Wanderers Jack Clisby was booked in the opening minute for laying a crunching tackle on Sergio Sirio. And then during the closing of the stages Santalab had a heavy lunge on James Holland, but was only shown a yellow card.
Much to Adelaide’s annoyance, Santalab went on to score the winning goal into 1 minute of injury time, the victory a relief for Popovic.