Week off won't stop Wanderers' momentum in new-look finals Keeping busy: Wanderers keeper Ante Covic. Western Sydney Wanderers may have temporarily lost the momentum of their 12-match unbeaten streak, but the A-League minor premiers have welcomed the week's rest in the new-look finals series. The break awarded to the top two teams threatens to disrupt the form teams carry into the finals, but the Wanderers say the rest will serve as a greater benefit as they will be more invigorated for their semi-final. The lengthy pre-season campaign and A-League season has taken it's toll on the Wanderers with a number of players, including captain Michael Beauchamp struggling with minor injuries. Coach Tony Popovic said the break has allowed his players to recover as well as providing a refreshed mental approach to their sudden-death match next Friday. I think for us it's been welcomed. It certainly worked for us this season and we've enjoyed having this week off to freshen up the players and also get a few players hopefully back from injury. It's been a long pre-season and season so far. The players are fit so we're not worried about that and mentally they're freshened up so were really looking forward to next week," Popovic said. The notion the Wanderers will take their foot off the pedal as a result of the break was rejected by goalkeeper Ante Covic, who said the man-management style of Popovic will prevent any complacency or disruption in their preparations. "He's given us inspiration, belief from day one," Covic said. He hasn't given us any sense to doubt ourselves during this season so having someone like that who understands what a player needs to do at a professional level is so important to all of us. He has that knack that not many coaches have out there to get the players playing at 100 per cent each week as it comes, rather than getting carried away or getting ahead of themselves. The Wanderers are the first minor premiers to experience the new system involving the week's break. Under the previous system, the minor premiers and the runners-up would play in a home and away style preliminary final that would see the victor host the grand final while giving the loser a second chance as a result of their high ranking. Despite not having a second bite of the cherry, Covic is certain the home final is enough of an advantage for his club to progress to the grand final. "I'd rather have the week off and finish the top of the table than go all the way through," Covic said. I don't think it's going to make too much of a difference. We've been focused all year and I don't think that's going to change. Meanwhile, Wanderers winger Kwabena Appiah-Kubi revealed he was approached by New Zealand Football with a view to snaring him for the All Whites. New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert spoke with the 20-year-old after a game in January and proposed he join the All Whites training camp ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers. The New Zealand-born Australian turned down the initial approach and will delay a decision on his international career. "I spoke to Ricki Herbert ... and he gave me a layout of what it's like and he said he'll keep in contact," Appiah-Kubi said. After I spoke to my parents and my manager ... we thought it wasn't an appropriate time to make a decision on my international career.