Santalab targets A-League derby goal glory
Feb 17, 2017 - 5:00 AM Western Sydney's Brendon Santalab concurred it would be pleasing symmetry to score the winning goal in Saturday's A-League derby against Sydney FC.By the time the 15th instalment of the Sydney derby kicks off at ANZ Stadium, it will have been 1134 days since the veteran striker netted in the 86th minute to see off the Sky Blues 1-0 at Pirtek Stadium.
That game in January 2014 was the last time the Wanderers got one up on their city rivals and the last time Santalab scored in the fiery fixture.
Now, 10 games and more than three years later, the scene is set for the 34-year-old to strike again and restore city bragging rights in front of an expected 50,000 crowd.
"It would be very special to me, and obviously my team," he said.
"Because we've played really well this year and results haven't gone our way.
"It's been a long time since we beat Sydney. I scored the winner last time so there's good memories.
"I hope on Saturday we can have a good celebration heading into (Tuesday's) ACL game.
Santalab is expected to return to the fore of the Wanderers attack after coach Tony Popovic made the surprise call to leave him on the bench for Sunday's 2-0 collapse to Central Coast.
While the opening round 4-0 walloping at ANZ Stadium was one to forget, he believes the Wanderers were on the verge of ending Sydney FC's 19-match unbeaten run when they played out a goalless draw at Allianz Stadium five weeks ago.
"We take great confidence from that performance," Santalab said.
"I think that was the closest anybody has come to beating Sydney this year.
"The way we played was great, we probably should have had a penalty as well.
"That didn't go our way but on another night we may have stolen the points, so we take confidence from that."
Source: AAP
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