Sim sets sights on silverware on Saturday

Sydney United 58 Star Matt Sim admits Sydney United 58’s season has been less than conventional but the attacking midfielder is confident it won’t stop them from an incredible championship title.

It’s been a rollercoaster season for United 58 who have experienced huge highs and soul sapping lows but have found form when it matters most to secure a National Premier Leagues NSW grand final berth.

Adding further complication to their grand final journey is a crazy jam packed fixtures schedule which will have United playing five games in 14 days including a crunch FFA Cup clash against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Sim, a former Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners player, has been a key player for United 58 this season playing a major role in turning the team around after they slumped to a streak of five games without a win.

The 31-year-old said United 58’s crazy season is proof that anything can happen in football.

“If you looked at our results this year you wouldn’t have thought this is a team who would have played in two cup finals as well as making it to the FFA Cup round of 16,” Sim said.

“We have done things a little bit differently but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how you get there.

“If we win on grand final day nobody is going to remember that it wasn’t the most perfect season or that we had a run of games without scoring a goal.

“It’s cliche but you need to take it a game at a time and make the most of the opportunities as they arrive.”

And that is exactly what United 58 has done to deliver a spectacular run in the finals to notch three spectacular upset wins to secure an unlikely finals berth.

An extra-time win against Marconi was followed up by a 7-3 extra time victory against Blacktown City, with last week’s 2-1 comeback win against premiership winner Wollongong Wolves securing their place at Bankwest Stadium

Sim said it has been his side’s never say day attitude which is the secret to their recent winning ways.

“Quite simply it is not in our nature to roll over when the going gets hard and we wanted to make the most of this opportunity to play finals football,” he said

“One big advantage has been the high stakes of each game because it keeps you fired up and motivates you to perform.

“We are confident in our ability as players so no matter the situation we feel we have what it takes to win every game we play in.”

An injury to key midfielder Glen Trifiro on the cusp of the finals series had many people write off United 58’s chances.

However, Sim and Trifiro’s midfield replacement Tarik Maia have spearheaded the Red’s charge with plenty  of goals and assists on their way to the grand final.

These two will be required to carry a lot of the load against APIA with Sim ready to lead his side to silverware.

“It’s always a great experience to play in a grand final so we will be doing everything we can to make the most of the experience,” he said.

“We are a very strong team and although some people might see us as underdogs I’m confident we will cause another big surprise.

“It has been a while since Sydney United 58 has won the grand final so we’ll be doing everything we can to give the fans what they’ve been waiting for.”