Rhyan Grant’s message to eager footy fans who are craving a live sporting fix in Sydney: ‘give it a crack, anything can happen’
Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant has a message for footy fans craving their sporting fix in the Harbour City given there are no NRL and AFL fixtures in Sydney this weekend – give the A-League at Allianz Stadium a crack.
With Perth hosting a NRL double header and the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide, a healthy crowd is tipped to watch the Sky Blues tackle ladder leaders Auckland FC from 5pm.
Adding some spice to the contest is the return of Steve Corica, with the club legend now head coach of the Black Knights, who have surpassed expectations of many in their inaugural season.
Grant is predicting an entertaining contest – and stressed three points are imperative for the hosts.
‘Give it a crack, anything can happen,’ the veteran defender told Daily Mail Australia when informed the rival footy codes are not in action across Sydney.
‘There are often late goals, and our fans (The Cove) always provide a good atmosphere.
Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant (pictured) has a message to footy fans craving a sporting fix in the Harbour City with no NRL and AFL fixtures in Sydney this weekend – give the A-League at Allianz Stadium a crack
Grant has chalked up over 300 appearances for the Sky Blues following his debut in 2008 (pictured, with partner Dani and daughter Bobby Peach)
Rhyan Grant also has 21 Socceroo caps to his name (pictured, rocking his former mullet against Lebanon in 2018)
‘I think Auckland will be hard to beat, they are a well organised team and no doubt Bimby (Corica) will be keen to do well against us.’
Sydney FC are backing up from a midweek 2-0 defeat in Singapore against Lion City Sailors FC, but Grant said his team are backing themselves as they also fight to stay in the A-League top six with finals looming.
The semi-final, second leg in the ACL 2 competition is on home soil come April 16.
‘Every match for us now is do or die, we need three points at every opportunity,’ the skipper said.
‘Most of the season we have had two games a week, so we are used to it.
‘It is the norm in Europe and as footballers, you want to be playing as often as possible…..we have the attacking players to win both games, we are quietly confident.’
And at 34, many players in Grant’s shoes would be contemplating retirement.
But after making his A-League debut in 2008 and chalking up over 300 career appearances for Sydney FC, the former Socceroos star has no plans to walk away just yet.
‘I have a contract for next season, and I know I’ll be 35, but the body feels great,’ he said.
‘I’m keen to keep going, beyond that who knows….I would like to apply my knowledge from over the years, so coaching could be an option.’
Tickets for both Sydney FC matches at Allianz Stadium are available via Ticketek.
The club’s women’s squad are also in action at the same venue on Saturday, hosting Perth Glory in a curtain raiser from 2:15pm.
Elsewhere this weekend, Sydney FC’s arch-rivals Western Sydney Wanderers do battle with Western United at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta from 5pm on Sunday.
