Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre sets his sights on winning the grand final, and becoming top goalscorer in the process
One target has gone for Adam Le Fondre, but the Sydney FC striker has two more - both of which spell bad news for Perth glory.
One target has gone for Adam Le Fondre, but the Sydney FC striker has two more — both of which spell bad news for Perth glory.
Pipped to the Golden Boot by Wellington striker Roy Krishna, Le Fondre still has one more chance to end the season as the A-League’s leading scorer, a feat for which he needs two more goals.
Grabbing them at Perth’s Optus Stadium would go a long way to assuring himself of a winner’s medal at the end of the grand final, and secure a fourth A-League championship for his team.
Buoyed by the confidence with which he dispatched twin strikes in Sunday’s mauling of Melbourne Victory in the semifinal, Le Fondre laid out his aim to close his first Australian campaign with an appropriate flourish.
“The target is winning the grand final, and if I get the goals to do so then great,” Le Fondre said.
“I'm probably a little bit disappointed not to win the Golden Boot but fair play to Roy, he's been fantastic in the regular season and scored goals all the way through.
“I can't begrudge him that so I'm just looking forward to the grand final and maybe scoring a couple. Even if I don't score at all, as long as we win then that's what we're all here for.”
A penalty and close-range conversion on Sunday took Le Fondre to 18 for the season, three of which have come against Sunday’s opponents in the grand final, Perth Glory.
“I've always said that if I get chances, I'll put them away,” Le Fondre said.
“It's been a long time since I’ve had a clear one on one with the goalie, and that's my bread and butter, that sort of thing.
“I'm really looking forward to it, I'm feeling on top of my game right now and the boys seem to be peaking at the right time which is perfect for us”
Meanwhile Krishna — one of the candidates to be paired with Le Fondre next season — will decide his future within the next fortnight, as he mulls over approaches from several A-League clubs.
Off-contract at Wellington, Krishna received both the Johnny warren Medal and the Golden Boot at Monday night’s A-League Awards.
Though Phoenix are anxious to keep Krishna, Sydney lead a pack of clubs in detailed negotiations to sign him for next season.
Given a belated chance at professional football by Wellington five years ago, Krishna signalled that his deliberations will be far from simple.
“Hopefully this week or next week (to decide),” he said. “I just want to take the right decision for me and my family, and we're in no rush.
“My family will be a key factor in this. Wellington is very close to me as my first professional club.
“Football's a crazy game, but it will all come down to my family. The decision I make will be good for everyone.”
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