Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Coach Tony Popovic believes Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic “keeps getting better and better” after the veteran custodian was named the AFC Champions League MVP after playing a starring role as the A-League side landed a maiden continental title after edging out Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 1-0 on aggregate.
Covic, 39, kept his ninth cleansheet of the campaign in Saturday’s final second leg at the King Fahd International Stadium as continental debutants Western Sydney claimed a hard-fought goalless draw to become the first Australian side to win the AFC Champions League title.
Having kept Al Hilal at bay during last week’s first leg, Covic was again on the top of his game in the return fixture and made a number of vital saves including a superb one-handed block to deny Al Hilal substitute Yasser Al Qahtani inside the final five minutes.
“Ante was unbeatable tonight. We have got an amazing group and I have acknowledged them before and I will acknowledge them again,” said Western Sydney coach Popovic.
“So many players have played in this journey. The players who left after the Round of 16 victory, new players have come in, previous staff members did a fantastic job, new staff members coming in, they all deserve credit, but for me most of all the players, and Ante sits here rightly so receiving these accolades.
“It has been a fantastic effort and he just keeps getting better and better.”
Covic, who was named the A-League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2012/13 following a fine debut season with Western Sydney, played all eight games during the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League this season having been rested for two games during the group stage as Popovic rotated his squad to deal with continental and domestic commitments.
And Covic crucially saved a first half penalty from Brazilian striker Elkeson in Western Sydney’s quarter-final second leg against defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande which Popovic’s side lost 2-1 but advanced crucially on away goals.
“It is unbelievable. This award I did not expect, I just go out there and do my best, but the title of Asian champions with the Wanderers, that is the prize for me,” said former Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Covic, who was part of Australia’s squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
“To come away in the short history of this club and win a title like this is something you carry with you for the rest of your life.
“These individual ones are fantastic as well and I am so proud.”
Meanwhile, with Al Hilal striker Nassir Al Shamrani unable to add to his 10 goal tally over either leg of the final, Al Ain’s Asamoah Gyan was named the AFC Champions League top goalscorer after netting 12 goals for the semi-finalists from the United Arab Emirates.