Western Sydney Wanderers defender Anthony Pantazopoulos says he rejected several overseas opportunities to stay in Sydney and help his team make amends for last season’s A-League Elimination Final heartbreak.
Speaking at the A-Leagues season launch, the 22-year-old admitted the 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory still weighs heavily on the squad ahead of their season opener against champions Melbourne City on October 18.
“I don’t think I’ll ever leave that behind,” Pantazopoulos said.
“We are still hurting from that, because we felt like we were right there, ready to create something really special… it’s a constant reminder, because obviously, we weren’t happy with how it ended, and we don’t want that to happen.”
Pantazopoulos, who emerged as one of the league’s most dominant defenders last season under coach Alen Stajcic, drew interest from EFL Championship and MLS clubs during the off-season. But he said remaining with the Wanderers felt right.
“Yeah there were definitely some opportunities that came up,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it was my best decision to stay here. I feel like I haven’t done enough here to warrant a move overseas just yet.”
The Wanderers, who equalled a 12-game unbeaten run and set a club record 58 goals last season, have since reshaped their squad, retaining a strong defensive core while adding experience through Steven Ugarkovic, Angus Thurgate, Kosta Barbarouses, and Alou Kuol.
Pantazopoulos said the team’s focus is on going one step further this year.
“I feel like we have a lot of unfinished business,” he said.
“The way we ended the season was unbelievable, and to go out in the elimination finals left a bit of fire in the belly. So to get the Champions first round is exactly what we want.”
Source: A-Leagues.
