Rhyan Grant wasn't meant to take a penalty in Sunday night's A-League grand final shootout.
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Two hours of being booed by over 50,000 Perth fans changed that.
The Sydney FC cult hero and Socceroos right back fought out a ding-dong battle with Perth's Jason Davidson on one wing of Optus Stadium.
A scything tackle saw the pair exchange terse words and, almost, blows.
The Glory crowd backed their man with their voices, letting Grant know all about it.
"During the game I was obviously getting booed every time I touched the ball and it was very noticeable. I probably wouldn't put my hand up to take a pen otherwise," Grant said.
"Other than the fact that I wanted to get one over them and bury one and have the last laugh.
"Fortunately enough for me it went in.
"If it wasn't for the booing I probably wouldn't have taken one."
I wanted to get one over them and bury one and have the last laugh.
- Rhyan Grant
Grant's penalty helped the Sky Blues claim a 4-1 win in the shootout after the match finished 0-0; the first goalless A-League grand final.
Both sides walked the tightrope of failure and success before the contest tipped Sydney FC's way.
Grant said being able to send off club legend Alex Brosque in his final match with a win made the title especially sweet.
"He's such a legend of our club and a legend of the league," he said.
"He's a good mate ... he's one of my favourite players and I'll tell him constantly. He's not a big fan of me saying that.
"And more so for Bimbi (coach Steve Corica) in his first year.
"I know he had his doubters.
"We've wasted all the beers throwing them over Bimbi. He's wet as.
"For those two boys and then also for Redders (goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne). This year has been a big year for him and he owned it."
AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
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