Sydney FC shot-stopper Harrison Devenish-Meares believes his side is capable of something special, declaring the current Sky Blues squad the best he’s played with as they prepare to host Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium tomorrow at 5pm.
“It’s the most talented group I’ve ever been a part of, no doubt,” he said.
“When we hit our potential, it’s a beautiful thing to watch.”
That’s high praise from a player whose career has taken him from the United States to Romania before returning to Australia, giving him a broad view of footballing cultures and dressing room dynamics.
But he insists nothing compares to the quality he’s surrounded by now.
“When you’ve got players in the team who can decide a game in a moment, it gives you real confidence,” he said.
“Even if the flow of the game isn’t going your way, you know you’ve got guys who can step up.”
Sydney FC have shown their game-breaking ability on many occasions this season scoring at least three goals per game in all but one of their last 11 home games.
But consistency—particularly in defence—has been the key focus of late.
“I think we’re also starting to shore things up at the back, which gives the attacking guys more confidence to play freely,” Devenish-Meares added.
“But it’s a collective effort. We can’t be scoring four or five and conceding the same—that’s just not good enough. So I take a lot of responsibility at the back to make sure I’m doing my part to get results for the team.”
After initially playing second fiddle, the 28-year-old is relishing being as Sydney FC’s No.1 goalkeeper.
“I’m 28, but I’m still a rookie in the league,” he admitted. “This is my first time playing in a first division. It’s something I prepared for, for a long, long time, and it’s something I always planned to do.”
Now, with the club chasing A-League and continental silverware in the Asian Champions League 2, Devenish-Meares is embracing the pressure.
“The expectation here is Championships; that’s why I love playing here, that’s why I love this football club.
“We have to make finals, that’s just non-negotiable for me. And obviously the Asian Champions League 2—we’re hunting for silverware there too.”
Sydney FC sit on the cusp of the top six, and a win over Melbourne City could prove pivotal in the tight race for finals football.
Saturday’s clash offers Sydney FC the chance to make a definitive statement—and Devenish-Meares knows they have the talent to do just that.
