Socceroos v China: Rhyan Grant flying A-League flag in absence of a host of Australia-based players

As Australia prepares to kick off the next stage of their World Cup qualifying campaign, Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant reveals why he is the only A-League player in the 27-man squad.

Rhyan Grant of Australia in action during the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers match between the Australian Socceroos and Nepal at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Thursday, October 10, 2019. (AAP Image/James Gourley) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant has sympathised with a host of fellow A-League players who turned down the chance to be part of the Socceroos squad due to the ramifications of Covid-19 and quarantine regulations.

Grant is the only A-League player in Australia’s 27-man squad for the FIFA international window in which the Socceroos play World Cup qualifiers against China in Doha and Vietnam in Hanoi.

High-profile Melbourne City pair Mat Leckie and Jamie Maclaren were among the A-League contingent who stayed at home due to isolation requirements that would have forced them to spend two weeks in hotel quarantine on their return to Australia at a time when pre-season training is in full swing.

Rhyan Grant will fly the A-League flag for the Socceroos.

After speaking with Sydney FC, who agreed to allow Grant to stay overseas until next month’s window on the proviso that he sticks to a training program, the 30-year-old fullback committed to spending an extended period away from Australia.

“To be the only A-League player is a little bit different, but hopefully, I can represent the A-League well,” Grant said.

“Thankfully, Sydney were very good with it which made it very easy. Both sets of coaching staff spoke to each other to lay out a little plan, which is great for me considering I get to play in these national team games.

“It’s huge that Sydney FC are on-board with the situation. There obviously could have been a little bit of drama because they could have made it hard for me, but from word go they were more than happy to support my decision.

Our first arrival 🛬

We caught up with @RhyanGrant as he became the first @Socceroos squad member to step foot in Doha ahead of this week's action!

🇦🇺 v 🇨🇳: 3.9.21 - 4am AEST#AllForTheSocceroos#AsianQualifierspic.twitter.com/puY3ibvUX9

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) August 30, 2021

“It makes it a little bit easier that it is pre-season because there are not as many games lined up, but obviously I’m in good hands here and I will be looked after well.”

Grant considered himself “lucky” not to have similar responsibilities to other A-League players who chose to remain in Australia.

“Everyone’s circumstances are a little bit different. I’m quite lucky because I don’t have many responsibilities back home, so I saw this as an opportunity to put my hand up again and be part of it,” Grant said.
“It’s always nice to be in the national team so I wasn’t going to turn that down.

“Obviously, there are difficult circumstances for some of the boys because it’s such a big commitment.”

New Melbourne Victory signing Chris Ikonomidis was set to join Grant in staying overseas for the next month for Socceroos duties under a strict training program, but the Victory refused his request, leading to the attacking weapon staying at home.

Originally published as Socceroos v China: Rhyan Grant flying A-League flag in absence of a host of Australia-based players