Sydney FC Defender, Rhyan Grant Talks To Us About Coughing Up The FFA Cup Final To Melbourne City

Despite a record-breaking undefeated start to the A-League season, Sydney FC failed convert it into an FFA cup title against Melbourne City on Wednesday night. For City striker Timmy Cahill, it was yet another case of cometh the hour, cometh the man as put his $7 million dollar forehead to good use, heading home the one and only goal to secure City the FFA Cup. It wasn't all good news for Cahill, however, who suffered a knee injury following a poor challenge from Sydney FC player Josh Brillante later in the game.

Despite being on the wrong end of Cahill's moment of brillians, Sydney FC right defender, Rhyan Grant, confesses to enjoying watching the great man at work. The 25 year old from Canowindra (population: 2381) in the NSW Central West spoke to us about the sting of defeat, the secret to Sydney FC's A-League success this season, and what it would mean if the chatter about his impending national squad selection were true.

Vice Sports: The most obvious question first, how does it feel to lose an FFA Cup Final?

Rhyan Grant: Obviously not great. To go all the way and get to the final after six or seven games and lose it at the final step is not great but there's not much you can do about it now.

Vice Sports:The atmosphere was electric for the final. Talk us through what was said before the game and how it felt to run out onto AAMI stadium for an occasion like this.

Rhyan Grant: Before the game the coach got us in and talked to the whole team, gave us his tactics and got everyone pumped up and revved for it. The senior boys and everyone else chimed in trying to get everyone keen and yeah when you walk out you see the atmosphere and hear the fans it's a bit of a buzz. Especially in this final they flew in with big tackles, early doors, so we knew were were in for a fight. It created that little bit more of a final atmosphere which was good, but obviously not good for us in the end.

Vice Sports:There are so many big game players in the Melbourne City outfit. What it's like coming up against the likes of Fornaroli and Cahill?

Rhyan Grant: Before the game we knew they had some big game players and players that have been doing really well this season, with Fornaroli up front, probably the best striker in the league at the moment and Timmy Cahill, we all know what he can do. We were weary of them and tried to do all we could to keep them quiet but obviously Timmy popped up with a header and does what he does best, and that's what he's been doing his whole career, which is a bit of a kick in the teeth. Just knowing your coming up against them is pretty cool. Obviously he's an Australian legend and Fornaroli one of the best strikers in the league. It was a pretty good occasion, we were quietly confident we could keep them quiet but obviously not.

Vice Sports: How do players of that stature rise to an occasion like this?

Rhyan Grant: Yeah, when you're playing you're sort of just worried about yourself and your team. But looking back on it obviously for Timmy to pop up and score that header it goes to show he's a big game player and does it when it counts. Credit to him but like I said he's been doing it his whole career so it's pretty cool to see it happen, but obviously not that great to happen against you.

Vice Sports:Did you cross paths with him much in the game?

Rhyan Grant: Not too much to be honest but there were a few melees throughout the game, just handbags at the best of it; a few of the boys were getting stuck in and a few words were being traded. But I was sort of more having a laugh and breaking it up a bit.

Vice Sports: Where was the game decided?

Rhyan Grant: A lot of people have said, and I think they're right, both teams cancelled each other out. There wasn't huge changes in the game, it was a bit of a battle getting to the second ball and what not. Obviously that set piece they scored their goal was their major chance and they took it. That was their deciding moment. We had a few chances late and we could have put away and changed the game but it wasn't to be.

Vice Sports: Were you happy with your involvements?

Rhyan Grant: I thought I did okay. I thought I was okay in the first half. It was sort of hard to get involved in the game because it was such a battle. It wasn't really a game where the ball got down and we played a lot of football. It was more just trying to win the battle and get over the top of the other team. I thought I was okay but nothing special. I did what I had to.

Vice Sports: Away from the final, can you tell us about Sydney FC's record-breaking, undefeated start to the A-League season.

Rhyan Grant: Yeah, it's been good, obviously undefeated in the league at the minute so everyone's spirits are high around the training ground so it's been good. I think everyone is getting along really well this year, we've got a great bunch of dudes, especially the news guys that came in they've fitted in straight away. Everyone is getting on like a house on fire so it's been a great start. Hopefully we can continue that.

Vice Sports: What's been key to the success?

Rhyan Grant: It's definitely the mateship we've got at the minute. Everyone is getting a long really well. Even today there are four of us down at the beach having a swim, so on and off the pitch we get along really well. I think that's key to any good team having good mates and battle for your mate next to ya.

Vice Sports: You've been talked about as a possible call up to the national squad. How seriously are taking that?

Rhyan Grant: I don't take it too seriously. It's all just a bit of talk at the minute but it's always good to hear stuff like that. But I'm just concentrating on the week to week. As cliche as that is at the moment that's all I'm doing, trying to play my best each week. So far I think Im doing pretty well. Obviously I just gotta be a bit more consistent. At the minute I'm just enjoying my football and going with that.

Vice Sports:What role has coach Graham Arnold played in that?

Rhyan Grant: I think Arnie has played a massive role. He's given me a little bit of a license to go forward and play my natural game, which is pretty much a 100 mile an hour so he's seen what I'm best at and let me off the leash a little bit this year and I think thats gone a long way to me playing well.

Vice Sports: What would it mean to get the call up?

Rhyan Grant: It would be pretty special. When you're younger that's all you wanna do is play for your national team but you don't realise all the hard work it takes to get you there. If that was to happen it would be pretty special not just for me but also my family. They're just as keen for something like that to happen.