Juric still believes in struggling Western Sydney Wanderers

Asian champion Western Sydney Wanderers may be down at present but it is far from out, according to frontman and Socceroos striker Tomi Juric.

Tomi Juric

Tomi Juric drives with the ball for Western Sydney Wanderers against Guangzhou Evergrande. (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

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The Wanderers fell agonisingly short again on Wednesday, going down 3-2 to Chinese giant Guangzhou Evergrande in the AFC Champions League.

Defensive errors again cost the ACL holder, which was unable to repeat the 3-1 triumph of its campaign opener away to Kashima Antlers last week, allowing Brazilian striker Ricardo Goulart to run riot and bag a hat-trick at Parramatta Stadium.

Guanzgzhou is now top of group H after two wins while the Wanderers are second, equal with next opponent FC Seoul on three points, with four group games remaining.

Still hurting from the 4-3 loss in the dramatic A-League derby against Sydney FC on Saturday, where a late Terry Antonis winner proved the difference, Juric admitted Wednesday's defeat was difficult to take.

Just as it did against the Sky Blues, the Wanderers fought their way back into the match with goals from Iacopo La Rocca and Romeo Castalen, only to be undone by a leaky defence.

"It's just so disappointing to play good football and dominate big parts of the game then you have a few minutes with a lapse in concentration and you conceded sloppy goals," Juric said.

"It's been the story of our season and it's just something we have to fix."

But the AFC Asian Cup winner admits that with its hectic schedule, that might be easier said than done.

The Wanderers now face a trip to Brisbane to play Roar on Sunday before hosting Melbourne City next Wednesday in what will be their fourth game in seven days.

"With such a tight schedule, it's really hard to work on these things because you spend most of your time recovering after each game," Juric said.

"Today was disappointing but it's just another day at the office. When you go to work it doesn't matter how bad things are you still have to do what you need to do.

"That's what we're doing. We just have to keep going."


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