Gan?s the man as Jets hit rock-bottom.
So it became fitting on the weekend that Corica himself was the man to deliver Gan the final drawcard which saw him seal victory in Sydney FC?s 2-1 win over a struggling Newcastle Jets side.
Coming off the bench in the 73rd minute of play, Gan claimed the spotlight five minutes later when he coolly sent a neatly threaded pass into the back of the net.
With his side producing some smart interplay amongst the midfield, it created the 20-year-old NSW TeleChoice Premier League Player of the Year with the chance to give his side what proved to be the match winning lead.
?Far out, I don?t even know what happened. The ball came to me from Corica and I was a bit shocked to be in that situation so soon, I didn?t know what to do? an elated Gan said. ?I just didn?t want to stuff up, so to see the ball go into the back of the net was awesome.
?It was the best feeling; I was just caught up in the moment. When I scored I ran the wrong way and didn?t realise, it was all a bit crazy.?
Sydney FC coach John Kosmina was equally happy with Gan?s match-winner and efforts throughout the week.
?He did well when he came on, really well,? Kosmina said. ?I actually considered starting him through the week but it might have been to big an occasion for a young guy.?
?He trained well one day and he was a bit off the next, he?s that sort of player as well. He?s got a good engine and he proved that when he came on.?
The composed strike capped off a remarkable rise in football for the 20-year-old who has been a stand-out for an undefeated Sydney FC youth side so far this season.
?It?s definitely been a year to remember. It was awesome to be picked in the Sutherland?s 1st grade side coming straight from the 20?s and then being selected in the Sydney FC youth team and to be playing in an undefeated youth side is amazing,? Gan said.
?And now, to have made my debut and be playing in front of the true Sydney fans is awesome because having watched the A-League in the past and to be now playing alongside the players I used to watch on TV is hard to even think about it.
?I did not expect any of this I just am so happy that everything has fallen into place and I hope I can take this opportunity with both hands.?
Gan, who earlier this year was a stand-out for the Sutherland Sharks, has proved in less than twelve months that he has what it takes to become a professional footballer. Having been in scintillating form of late, Gan is getting used to the different approach the A-League takes compared to that of the NSW TeleChoice Premier League.
?Although I loved the TeleChoice Premier League, the youth competition shows a much clearer understanding of soccer and I think it goes through the paces of how the game probably should be played,? Gan admitted. ?It is a lot less physical than the state comp but it?s great to watch the flow of passes and build up of play used by Sydney FC.?
Although Gan?s name will be up in lights during the coming week, it?s back to business for the young prospect as he prepares to train towards a possible start for Sydney FC next week.
?Yeah, straight back into training, all I want to do is take one game at a time and make sure I am prepared to play my best soccer each week whether I?m playing in the youth side or in the opens.?
By Reece Carter
