De Jong ready for full grand final hitout
Sydney FC marquee Siem de Jong believes his body is ready and able to allow him a rare 90 minute appearance in Sunday's A-League grand final against Perth Glory.
The Dutch international and former Ajax captain, who is on a season-long loan from that famous club, has endured a stop-start campaign.
De Jong has started just 11 A-League games and only played the full match out twice.
He was sidelined for six week early in the season and for two months in the new year.
"That basically split up my season in a few parts, stop and go," de Jong said.
Left at home for the Sky Blues's most recent Asian Champions League game, De Jong played 66 minutes in last Sunday's 6-1 semi-final drubbing of Melbourne Victory before being substituted in his first game in almost three weeks.
" I think that (being substituted) was a good choice and I feel good," de Jong said.
"I think 90 minutes (on Sunday) will be good for me."
De Jong's classy touch and attacking quality has been evident in his time with Sydney.
He's not sure where he'll be playing next season as he is under contact to Ajax for another year.
"I've enjoyed playing here. I would love to play here some more, but I've always said the same at Ajax. If I get the chance there to play I would definitely try and get to be picked for the squad for next season,"' de Jong said.'
Fellow import Adam Le Fondre is hoping his run of outs in a big one-off games ends on Sunday.
Le Fondre played on the losing side in two English lower division promotion play off finals and in Sydney's FFA Cup final defeat last October..
"Thats why I've escaped England to come over here - it t seems to be following me,"' Le Fondre quipped.
He's enjoyed success against Perth though, scoring in each of Sydney's three games against Glory.
"It's a one-off game this Sunday, so everything is on the line, bodies are going to be on the line flying everywhere so I don't really care who scores as long as we're on the right side of the result," Le Fondre said.
