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Good headaches loom for Wanderers coach

3 minute read

Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel has lavished praise on the controversial VAR system after his side went top of the A-League with a home win over Sydney.

Wanderers coach MARKUS BABBEL
Wanderers coach MARKUS BABBEL Picture: (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel says his A-League pacesetters have got a lot of improvement left and he's looking forward to some challenging selection headaches.

Babbel lavished praise on match officials and the controversial VAR System after two crucial calls went the Wanderers way in Saturday's 1-0 home win over arch-rivals Sydney FC.

Wanderers went outright top after a compelling Sydney derby at a heaving Bankwest Stadium.

Both clubs had won their first two games, but Saturday's result was Western Sydney's first victory in their last seven league games against the Sky Blues and just their second in their last 17.

Sydney created almost all the clear cut chances in the game.

Sky Blues coach Steve Corica disagreed with VAR calls ruling a header from Sydney's Kosta Barbarouses didn't fully cross the line and that Keanu Baccus hadn't handballed in his own penalty area.

German Babbel was equally adamant the rulings were right.

"At the moment the referees and the VAR rare doing a fantastic job, every decision is right," Babbel said.

"I hope they can also keep this level because it's fantastic."

Babbel was confident his side weren't in danger of suffering a letdown at home to Brisbane next Saturday after pulling off a dramatic, drought-breaking derby win.

"It would surprise me, I know my team now because we can learn a lot from this game and the boys know that it wasn't an outstanding performance," Babbel said.

"We were fighting fantastic but (with) only fighting (it) will be difficult to stay up in the table

"We also have to bring skill so on the pitch. We can do it.

"We have so much to improve, we have a long way in front of us but with this mentality with his attitude we're on the right way."

With defender Patrick Ziegler named on the bench after a long injury layoff and his German compatriot Nicolai Muller only arriving in the country on Friday, Babbel now has the depth to consider changes to his starting side.

'It's a challenge, there, this is what we want, last year wasn't a challenge," Babbel said.

"It was nearly clear who was playing because the rest was not good enough.

"Now it's different, I have good headaches because not only these two guys (Muller and Ziegler), we have also young ones coming through who want to play and bring everything in training."

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