Year-ender: Major sporting upsets of 2014

Updated: 2014-12-31 09:53

(Agencies)

Western Sydney Wanderers winning the AFC Champions League

Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers hold the trophy as the celebrate winning their second-leg soccer match of the Asian Champions League final against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh in this November 1, 2014 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

Coach Tony Popovic took over at the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2012 when they had no strip, no playing staff and no facilities.

That did not prevent them going on to win the Asian Champions League title 900 days later in their maiden campaign, defying huge odds to overcome much wealthier Asian powerhouses.

A 0-0 draw against twice Asian champions Al-Hilal in front of 65,000 fans in the Saudi capital in November was enough to secure a 1-0 aggregate victory and earn plenty of plaudits for former Socceroo Popovic.