With records broken and fresh from being announced PFA Player of the Month, Marc Janko took time out of his busy schedule for two adoring fans from his homeland while they were on holiday in Sydney.
Following a chance encounter via text message, Janko took Dutch nationals Michel and Piroschka Vearhoven on a private tour of Allianz Stadium during their short day in the Harbour City.
While the pair keep tabs on the Sky Blues, their real passion is for Janko’s former club FC Twente, and it was this support that spurred Janko to meet the pair, with the Austrian captain still highly revered by the Twente faithful for his match-winning goal in the Dutch Cup final in 2011.
“My wife loves Australia, she wanted to see it and I said to her when we go I will try to give Marc Janko a message and maybe he will send a message back,” said Michel.
“I didn’t know [if he would reply], then one day I was on the train and my phone went off and it was Marc Janko texting me back.
“Marc was a player of my favourite team, FC Twente, and he scored many goals for us but the most beautiful goal and moment was the winning goal against Ajax in the cup final.
“I watch Sydney FC every time on Livescore. Normally for Football players sometimes you see they are sometimes arrogant but Marc is otherwise, he is very gentle and friendly and showed us the Stadium, it was above all my expectations.”
Michel’s wife echoed his sentiment as she divulged just hair passionate they are about their hometown club.
“It was very special to meet Marc because my husband loves football and we’ve seen Marc Janko is playing very well for Sydney FC.
“It is nice to be here and see all the things in Sydney and Marc is very kind and is a nice man.
When we got married we took our wedding pictures in the Stadium of FC Twente and the players were also there so that was very nice.”
Janko said it was great to meet the couple as he said he still felt strong ties to the Twente faithful for whom he made 45 appearances for, scoring 24 goals.
“I wasn’t expecting it but I still feel a very strong bond between the Twente fans and myself and it was very lovely to meet these two from my former club in Holland,” Janko said.
“I still follow them every match day and it was lovely to show them around the Stadium and my new club in Sydney.”
Sydney FC take on Melbourne City on Friday 20 March at Allianz Stadium (kick off 7:40pm). Pre-purchase tickets today or become a Member and cheer your Sky Blues on to first place with a new club record undefeated streak on the line.
Purchase tickets today or become a Member and ensure you don’t miss a moment of Hyundai A-League action by heading to www.ticketek.com.au/sydneyfc
