WIN a title, score more goals - they will be two of the big motivating factors for Rhyan Grant when Sydney FC's A-League season resumes on July 17.
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The Canowindra product and his Sydney team-mates won 15 of their 20 games to sit on top of the A-League ladder before the season was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They are eight points clear of nearest rivals Melbourne City and in a good position to claim the premiers plate - the trophy awarded to the side sitting in first come the completion of the regular season. It's one Grant is hungry to lay his hands on.
"We want to win that title, every season we want to get that, but being so close at the moment is a massive factor for us to make sure we start this recommencement strongly and really make sure we get those wins to get there," he said.
"The more we win, the closer we get to that minor premiership. The cliche is that we take one game at time, but we really want to make sure we win that and start off the recommencement of the season really well."
Sydney FC will re-start its season by hosting the currently third-placed Wellington Phoenix on Friday. Their previous meetings this season have been hotly contested, one ending in a 2-all draw, the other a 2-1 win to the sky blues.
It was Grant who scored the 77th minute winner in that first meeting - the round two match on October 20.
Finding the back of the net is something Grant - a key member of Sydney FC's defensive line up - wants to do more often. Across his 15 appearances so far this season he's had 10 shots, four of which were on target, but his stunning volley against Wellington stands as his only successful attempt.
"It was nice, I didn't realise it was that early in the season to be honest. It was a good goal from me, I was pretty happy with it," Grant said.
"I had a few more chances against them in the other game too, I probably should have scored. Hopefully I can put a few of those chances away against Wellington, against any team. I need to score more goals, that's a big factor for me, so hopefully I can do that this season."
While Grant and his team-mates have trained well in the build up, he knows beating Wellington will not be an easy task.
"Everyone seems like they are in pretty good nick," he said.
