(u'Wanderful: Payer Youssouf Hersi hugs goal scorer Tabilot Haliti after the Wanderers defeated Central Coast Mariners 1-0 on Saturday night. Picture: Anthony Johnson',)
"THE most amazing story in modern Australian sporting history became even more astonishing tonight . . "
Well, the Western Sydney Wanderers PR machine could be forgiven the hyperbole.
After all, the Wanderers had just beaten the premiers, Central Coast Mariners, 1-0 away in the A-League soccer competition at Blue Tongue Stadium.
And they'd shown the hallmark of all top-class teams: the Wanderers had put in a bad one.
They'd been outplayed and had still found a way to win — via a superb goal to super sub Labinot Haliti in the 72nd minute/
They became the first team since Melbourne Victory in 2005 to win eight on the trot.
It was the Mariners' first home loss in 11 games this season and the Wanderers are two points clear at the top.
Certain superlatives can be used without the need for hyperbole.
The Wanderers are the Australian sports story of the summer.
They're not living the dream or a fairytale; this is reality. The spare parts team assembled in five minutes have exceeded expectations.
The untested Tony Popovic is already the coach of this or any year.
They've already got the most fanatical supporter base, the Wanderers Warriors, of any Australian sporting club, and 5000 of those fans went to the Central Coast on Saturday night.
The Wanderers are such an improbable story, they should be paid to be in the A-League.
Oh, that's right. They owe their existence to government financial support.
They host the Wellington Phoenix at Parramatta Stadium at 5pm on Sunday and yes, it will be huge.