Popovic’s Cup scare positives

WESTERN Sydney coach Tony Popovic is taking positives from his side’s FFA Cup penalty-shootout win over Blacktown, despite narrowly avoiding one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Just three weeks out from their A-League season opener against Perth, the Wanderers turned in a sub-par showing on Wednesday night, needing an Oriol Riera equaliser (2-2) nine minutes from the end of extra time before prevailing 4-2 on penalties.

Popovic bemoaned a lack of quality in front of goal, but otherwise preferred to focus on the spirit displayed by his side.

“We have character, we’ve got fight and belief and, even when things go against us, we can come through,” he said.

“We started the game great and created chances and we learnt that, if you don’t put chances away, you can lose a game of football to anyone.

“In the end, we got through against a tough opponent and on a tough pitch – an artificial pitch, which is something new for us.”

The Wanderers will have at least two A-League matches before tackling Adelaide United at home in what will be the club’s maiden FFA Cup semifinal. A-League champions Sydney FC will face South Melbourne in the other semi.