Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC have flown to China this morning as they prepare to take on world football giants Paris Saint-Germain at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre on Tuesday night (10pm AEST kick off).
The Sky Blues have named a 20-man squad for the trip which includes three of the club’s young Academy prospects, Jordi Swibel, Harry Van Der Saag and Ryan Teague.
They will face a French side who boast some of the best players on the planet, including the world’s most expensive footballer Neymar who was transferred to PSG from Barcelona for $AU356 million in 2017.
Socceroos right back Rhyan Grant could be the man to keep Neymar quiet should the Brazilian take to the field, and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“His talent is out of this world,” said Grant.
“It would be good to come up against a player of his calibre and all I can do is try my best and see where I stand.
“Even just to be on the same pitch as a player like him will be a great experience.”
Grant admits the squad will have their work cut out against one of the world’s top teams but believes Sydney FC will be able to themselves justice.
“We know how good a team they are and that they’re one of the biggest club’s in the world.
“But we’ll put our best foot forward and I think we will do ourselves and Sydney FC proud.”
Steve Corica’s squad left Sydney at 9.30am this morning heading for a 6.25pm arrival in Shanghai.
A 100km road trip north to Suzhou will follow and the squad is expected to arrive in the city at 9pm local time.
Sunday and Monday will involve two training sessions as well as promotional activities with the local community ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Sydney FC will wear their new Sky Blue Under Armour designed jersey for the very first time during the game.
Sydney FC squad to face Paris St Germain (jersey number in brackets):-
1. Redmayne (1)
2. Grant (23)
3. McGowan (6)
4. Wilkinson (4)
5. Zullo (7)
6. O’Neill (13)
7. Caceres (17)
8. Ninkovic (10)
9. Baumjohann (5)
10. Le Fondre (9)
11. Barbarouses (11)
12. Retre (8)
13. Brattan (26)
14. Flottmann (2)
15. King (16)
16. Heward-Belle (20)
17. Ivanovic (18)
18. Teague (25)
19. Swibel (27)
20. Van Der Saag (29)
Sydney FC’s pre-season fixtures (all kick off times AEST):
- Tuesday, 30th July vs Paris Saint-Germain at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre (A), China, kick off 10:00pm.
- Wednesday, 7th August vs Brisbane Roar at Leichhardt Oval (H), kick off 7:30pm. (Round of 32 FFA Cup)
- Wednesday, 14th August vs Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium, Wollongong (A), kick off 7pm.
- Saturday 21st September vs Newcastle Jets at Apex Oval, Dubbo (A), kick off 3pm.
