When Sydney FC takes the field against the Queensland Roar on Friday night it will be a big match for many reasons, but for one member of the Sky Blues’ squad it will truly be a landmark occasion, with FC young-gun, Brendan Gan set to make his Hyundai A-League debut in the Sydney Football Stadium clash.
When Sydney FC takes the field against the Queensland Roar on Friday night it will be a big match for many reasons, but for one member of the Sky Blues- squad it will truly be a landmark occasion, with FC young-gun, Brendan Gan set to make his Hyundai A-League debut in the Sydney Football Stadium clash.
The 20-year-old has been selected as a reserve for the round 13 encounter and is looking forward to taking hold of his opportunity.
“This is why I-m here, I want to play first grade, A-League and (I-m) pretty happy that I got the call up,” said Gan. “It-s going to be a big game tomorrow and hopefully I can make an impact.”
The rising Sutherland star gets his chance after in-form midfielder, Terry McFlynn last week suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of the action for the next six-weeks.
Bobby Petta has been given the nod to start in McFlynn-s spot, but John Kosmina has faith in Gan to do a job off the bench against the Roar.
“We-re a little bit down on bodies so it-s a good opportunity for him,” said the Sydney mentor. “He got the player of the season in the NSW Premier League so he-s been in senior company before. We-re in a position where the only choice I-ve got is which youth player to make up the bench with, and Brendan-s the obvious one for me.”
Sydney has endured a tough trot over recent weeks but Kosmina is confident his side is about to turn a corner.
“They-ve had a few little body blows that they-ve had to deal with but like any good fighter you pick yourself up and get back in and start again,” he said. “That-s part of being a professional sportsman, you-ve got be emotionally and mentally resilient as well as physically and it-s times like this that you do have your character tested.”
“You-ve got to pick yourself up and dust yourself and work through it and eventually the football will turn around because we are a good footballing side.”
The Sky Blues will take the first step on their road to recovery when they host Queensland tomorrow night.
The crucial Hyundai A-League contest kicks-off at 8pm at the SFS, following Sydney-s National Youth League game against the Roar.
