Football
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Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant downplays Socceroos talk

He's not getting ahead of himself but Rhyan Grant is flattered his name is being thrown around as a potential solution to the Socceroos' right-back problem.

Grant continued his sterling A-League form with a man-of-the-match display in Sydney FC's controversial 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

His workrate and attacking prowess earned the 25-year-old praise from fans and commentators, who suggested it was time Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou cast a closer eye over the former Olyroo.

Postecoglou has openly admitted right-back is a troublesome position in the national team and several players have tried and failed to nail down the role as their own.

Perth Glory's Josh Risdon and Germany-based Milos Degenek are his current picks for next week's World Cup qualifier against Thailand, at the expense of China-based Ryan McGowan and Grant's Victory counterpart Jason Geria.

Yet Grant said he'd never seriously considered such a chance for himself.

"Obviously as a youngster you want to get there but I've never really chucked myself in the frame," Grant said.

"My sisters told me they heard it on commentary but I'm not going to get ahead of myself.

"There are some great right-backs in the league and Rizzo [Risdon] is in there now and he's been killing it for a number of years.

"It's not an easy position to work your way into, but to get your name thrown around is a good thing for me and I'll take it on board."

Grant wasn't convinced his career-best form had translated onto the pitch against Victory, feeling he'd made too many mistakes and pointing out his hunger to improve.

It's a desire he believes the entire Sydney team possesses despite their five successive A-League wins and nine in all competitions, with just one goal conceded.

Though they rode their luck against Victory, the Sky Blues came from behind to triumph in a much-needed test of character as Graham Arnold's runaway leaders prepare to host the Glory on Sunday.

Kenny Lowe's side are fourth after being held to a late 2-2 draw by Western Sydney and will be out to inflict the same pain Sydney dealt by knocking them out of the FFA Cup's round of 16.

"Perth are doing okay at the moment so it will be a tough game for us, but I'm sure we'll be up for it and quietly confident we can get the win again," Grant said.

"We don't really talk about getting on a run, but when it's pointed out that we're five on the trot now you sort of do think, 'yeah, I wonder how far we can go'.

"But it's very early, the season is very long."

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