Sydney FC gun Rhyan Grant tackles tough travel itinerary for Sydney FC milestone
Socceroos gun Rhyan Grant ready to tackle travel endurance test ahead of his Sydney FC milestone match.
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It’s a special occasion but backing up less than 72 hours after playing for your country and a 20 hour flight home is a big ask for any player in any sport.
But Sydney FC and Socceroos gun Rhyan Grant isn’t letting the prospect faze him.
The ordeal will see the 28-year-old Bondi player turn out for the Socceroos against Jordan in Amman on the Friday before the Big Blue between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory at Jubilee Oval on Sunday November 17.
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“It is a big ask. It will be difficult but in this day and age it happens,” said Grant, at a weekly skills training clinic with fellow Sydney FC players at Five Dock.
“You just get on with it.”
The 6.30pm Sunday game was moved back 25 hours to allow for Socceroos players to be back on the field in decent shape for the crucial A-League clash.
The match is extra special for Grant as it marks his 200th game in the sky blue jersey, a milestone he heard about for the first time on social media.
“The 200th for Sydney FC is a pretty cool achievement. I didn’t realise it was this milestone until I read it.”
While more than a decade ago, Grant vividly remembers his first A-League outing for Sydney FC.
“It was 2008 and I made my A-League debut with them against Perth at Allianz,” he said.
“It was 15 minutes to go, it was a special day. I was just happy to be there because I was only 17 at the time.
“To stay at the biggest club in Australia is great. I’m still here and I’m still loving it.”
A fan favourite with The Cove, mullet man Grant is forecasting a torrid clash for his 200th.
“Victory, it is always a good game. Pretty fiery,” he said.
“They are one of our biggest rivals. It’s always a good game against them with that whole Melbourne Sydney thing.
“There have been a lot of important matches between us.”
The match will be played as a double header with the women’s Sydney FC team who take on Victory in their W-League season opener at 4pm.
The men’s match is scheduled for 6.30pm.