It’s been a breakout year for Harry Van der Saag, completing his first professional season with the Sky Blues.
Already a Premiership winner, he’s got his eyes on the Grand Final and a record fifth Championship for the club. We caught up with Harry to chat about his first ever Hyundai A-League Semi-Final as a player.
It’s been a pretty crazy season for you, but the Semi-Finals are here, you must be excited?
It’s been a long season and I’m looking forward to the Semi-Finals, it’ll be my first so I’m really looking forward to it.
It’ll be your first Semi-Final experience as a player, no doubt you went to a few as a fan though?
I’ve been to a few Semi-Finals in the A-League, when I was young I went to a few Sydney FC ones so it’ll be pretty cool, really exciting to be able to play in one.
Did you ever think you’d be here at this point as a professional?
I didn’t think I’d make it here so it’s pretty thrilling and I’m just really excited. I’ve really enjoyed my season, I couldn’t have asked for a better season or a better bunch of boys to play with. It’s been really good.
What goals did you have to spur you on?
I just wanted to play as many minutes and games as possible and keep improving in each training session and game.
Sydney FC are obviously familiar with Perth in the Finals Series, where were you for last year’s Grand Final?
I would have been playing in the NPL with the youth team watching the Grand Final, that’s where I was. It’s pretty surreal to be playing in a big game now, I’m super excited and can’t wait.
Not many youngsters can say they’ve won silverware in their first professional season, you must be proud?
I think it’s pretty special to have won the Premiership in my first season, a few players are in the A-League and haven’t won silverware so to do it in my first year is special and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
A Grand Final win to cap off a remarkable 2019/20 for you then?
That would top it of and put the icing on the cake, I’m hoping that’s what we can do.
Sydney FC take on Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League Semi-Finals at Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday night (kick off 8:10pm AEST) with tickets still available to the clash.
Catch the Sky Blues’ pre-match show on Facebook from 7:30pm and see the match live on Fox Sports or streamed on Kayo Sports and the My Football Live app.
