It’s been a long time coming for Westfield W-League star Amy Sayer, as she prepares to face Perth Glory at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday (kick off 4pm AEDT).
For most involved it’s a Grand Final rematch, but for Sayer it’s her Grand Final after sitting out the 2019 decider through injury, and it’s an encounter the 18-year-old has been relishing.
“I’m really looking forward to playing against Perth,” she said.
“I missed the Grand Final last year, I was sitting in the stands with a boot and crutches, so to actually be playing this time will be really fantastic.
“Being out for 5 months, any game I take and treasure a lot more now because I was out of the game and missing what I love for so long.
“I’ve been feeling really great. Ante has been amazing, and Sydney FC have definitely stepped up on the women’s side this year.
“Everyone feels it, I’m probably 2000% fitter, feeling great and training really good.”
It’s also a case of the unknown for Sayer, with the youngster having never featured at WIN Stadium, Wollongong, and she travels there expecting a tough encounter against last year’s finalists while buoyed with the club’s recent #SydneyDerby result.
“Perth are missing Sam Kerr obviously so they’ll be different in attack, but the biggest mistake would be to underestimate them,” Sayer said.
“They beat Brisbane 4-2 at the weekend while we drew with Brisbane so they’ll be a really big challenge.
“We can’t drop our focus, we have to be completely ruthless and focused on making the Finals.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played at WIN Stadium.
“The last time I was in Wollongong was for an NPL game against Stingrays, we didn’t play at WIN Stadium we were on a field out the back. A new field is always a challenge and hopefully we can get a big crowd down there.
“I was really happy to be able to be back in the starting lineup [on Saturday],” she continued.
“It’s a massive thing especially at the back end of the season. We got a win by a massive margin against our hometown rivals so that was such a great feeling, and to get revenge over the Wanderers was also really good.”
Sydney FC head to WIN Stadium, Wollongong for a Westfield W-League Grand Final rematch against Perth Glory on Saturday 22nd February (kick off 4pm AEDT). Travel down and back the squad in this massive clash in the race for Finals football.
