A Labinot Haliti strike handed Western Sydney a 1-0 victory over Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale, boosting the A-league club's hopes of progressing to the Asian Champions League knockout phase.
It took less than three minutes for the Wanderers to make their mark with Haliti's early goal giving the hosts a dream start at Parramatta Stadium.
Despite a second half assault from Kawasaki - a side featuring several of Shinji Ono's former Japanese international teammates the likes of ex-EPL star Junichi Inamoto - the Wanderers' desperate defending ensured they held on for the win to consolidate second spot in their group.
Popovic made no less than nine changes to the starting side who drew 0-0 to Adelaide on Saturday while for Kawasaki only three players backed up from their side's 4-3 defeat to Omiya Ardija on the weekend.
