Sydney FC star Ryan McGowan is relishing the Sky Blues return to Leichhardt Oval this Saturday, as Head Coach Steve Corica’s men prepare for their first clash there since lifting the Premiers Plate in 2020.
The Sky Blues face City in a rematch of the 2020 Grand Final, with McGowan out to silence the league’s in-form player in Jamie Maclaren.
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“I really enjoy playing at Leichhardt, the games we had there last season were good and I think the supporters enjoy it being quite close to the field,” he said.
“The weather is meant to be good, the early kick off is good for the families and the more the merrier there. Hopefully that can edge us on to get a win.
“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a big game and a good opportunity to get a good win against a team that’ll be up there at the end of the season.
“Strikers just want to score goals and Maclaren is no different,” he continued.
“They’ll be working on ways to win the game, same as us, so I feel if we can keep Maclaren and a few of their other players quiet it gives us a good opportunity to win.
“We need to limit their chances and take ours.”
There was little offseason change for both sides following the decider in August 2020, and McGowan said that familiarity should set the stage for an entertaining clash.
With the Sky Blues tasting defeat at AAMI Park earlier in the season against the Victorians, the defender said it was just a matter of ensuring the Sky Blues don’t let their recent form slip.
“Both clubs haven’t made too many changes in the offseason,” McGowan said.
“I think they know we’ll be up there and we know the same, it’s a real good opportunity for us at Leichhardt, 5pm on a Saturday, everything is pointing towards a good game where we can get three points and put pressure on the Central Coast at the top.
“They have a lot of good players but I also think they’ll be looking at us trying to stop our players,” he continued.
“We have to limit their chances as a team and I’m just looking forward to a good game. Both teams are going into it very confident
“As well as they played last time, we were below par, so we need to be back on top of our game and get one over them.”
Sydney FC face Melbourne City in a Grand Final rematch at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday (kick off 5pm AEST). Be there to back your Sky Blues as we return to the Inner West venue.
