Saturday's A-League showdown at WIN Stadium will be about more than just picking up the three points. It's also a chance to win over Wollongong football fans.
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Sydney FC will enter "enemy territory" for their season opener against the newly-dubbed 'Wollongong' Phoenix, with the Wellington club remaining based in the Illawarra due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
And while the Phoenix have been busy setting up their roots since arriving in Wollongong last month, the sky blues have their own trump card to play: Joel King.
The Shellharbour talent became a key part of Sydney FC's defence as they claimed last season's premiership double. He now returns home for his first A-League game at WIN Stadium.
"I've played a few games there in the NPL against the Wollongong Wolves, but I'm pretty excited to play in the A-League in front of my friends and family," King said.
"Hopefully we will get a few fans out that are supporting Sydney in Wollongong. Hopefully they're not too loyal to Wellington already."
Saturday will mark Sydney FC's first game since bowing out of the AFC Champions League in Qatar. They ended the campaign bottom of their group, finishing with an impressive 4-0 win over Shangai East Asia and a 1-1 draw with Yokohama FM.
Since returning to Australian shores in early December, the sky blues have had a disrupted preparation for the A-League season. They were set to kick off their campaign against Melbourne City on Wednesday night, however, the game was postponed due to concerns over the COVID cluster in Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Instead, Sydney FC will travel to Wollongong to take on their newest "rivals". And while the visitors will enter the game as favourites, King refuses to underestimate the Phoenix.
"We've just got back from Qatar and the boys are fit and keen to play in the A-League again. We're excited to get the season off on a good note," the 20-year-old said.
"But I think they will be good. We know [Phoenix head coach] Ufuk [Talay] quite well because he coached with us two years ago - he's a really good coach. The Phoenix have lost a few players but I think they've got some new ones, so I expect them to be pretty good this year. It will be a good challenge.
"They play a similar style to us actually. Last year, they were quite aggressive in pressing and defending. But I've heard the might be a bit more defensive and sit off a bit this year, so it will be good to see how we match up."
Saturday will also present King with a solid chance to nail down his position in Sydney FC's defence.
After making his debut in 2018/19, King played more than 20 games last season to become a regular starter. His efforts didn't go unnoticed as gained higher honours, representing the Olyroos in a friendly match against the sky blues last month.
King said consistency will be the key in his third A-League season.
"I want to play as many games as I can and get better," he said. "If I can do that, I'll be pretty happy."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
