With Brandon O’Neill commanding the midfield, Sydney FC have enjoyed the most successful period in their Hyundai A-League history.
But you would be mistaken if you think the 25-year-old maestro sits at home counting his medal tally and celebrating his reputation as one of the competition’s midfield mainstays.
After joining the Sky Blues in 2015 from Perth Glory, WA-born midfielder O’Neill has helped Sydney FC win five trophies, four of which he clinched under the tutelage of ex-Sydney and current Caltex Socceroos boss Graham Arnold.
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In that time, O’Neill – whose parents hail from Dublin, Ireland – has been the beating heart of a team which has amassed Premierships in 2016/17 and 2017/18, Championships in 2016/17 and 2018/19, and the FFA Cup in 2017.
Now, he's ready to bring his Hyundai A-League dominance to the Caltex Socceroos.
One of six potential debutants in Graham Arnold’s squad for this Friday’s upcoming friendly with Korea Republic, O’Neill has the chance to do just that against the Taeguk Warriors.
“Sometimes you have to pinch yourself and not reflect on how far you’ve come, but how far you’ve got to go,” O’Neill told www.socceroos.com.au.
“I’ve got big ambitions to keep doing what I’m doing and strive to be the best player I can be.
“Hopefully Friday night is a good step towards that. I’m really looking forward to Friday night, to be associated with that level of player on the international stage.”
O’Neill, who was named Sydney’s Player of the Year on Saturday at the club's end of season celebration, the Sky Blue Ball, added: “This season has been my most enjoyable.
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“Win, lose or draw at the weekend, I just felt like I was always learning, always coming back to training, working on the things I was learning on the weekend and trying to be better the next week.”
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