Alex Grant wants to deal with Wellington before concentrating on Socceroos duties

As thrilled as Alex Grant is to have been named in the latest Socceroos squad, his immediate task is playing well for Sydney FC against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday night.

Alex Grant will temper the delight of his maiden Socceroos call-up to focus on helping Sydney FC securing a crucial A-League win over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday night.

At 31, the experienced defender has achieved what he believes is an overdue reward for his consistent form by being named in Australia’s squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia on Thursday night at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and China on Tuesday week in Hangzhou.

“Over the last three or four years, playing in Asia and playing to a good standard, I feel like it was probably a little unjust at times not to be involved in the past,” said Grant, who before joining the Sky Blues in the January-February transfer window has had a successful spell in South Korea with Pohang Steelers before a difficult stint in China with Tianjin Jinmen.

“I feel like I certainly deserved it with how I’ve performed over the last three of four years, and now that I’m back playing and in an environment where I’m wanted and enjoying my football, and putting in some good performances as well, I feel like I’m ready to step up.”

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Grant can further his case for playing time against Indonesia with a strong performance for the Sky Blues against the Phoenix at Allianz Stadium.

Seventh-placed Sydney needs a win to maintain the club’s push for a top-six berth.

“The news over the last couple of days is great for myself personally but my main focus now is winning that game on Sunday. and that’s going to be for all the boys,” said Grant, who scored in the Sky Blues’ AFC Champions League Two quarter-final home win over South Korean club Jeonbuk Motors on Thursday night.

“Teams have struggled balancing between playing in Asia, and then bringing results back domestically, and we’ve really got to do that to cement our spot in the (A-League) top-six.

“We’ve just got to keep that momentum where it is and keep the positivity throughout the team.

“There are good vibes around the place at the moment, and we’ve got to keep it rolling. That’s all we can do.”

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