‘I can’t wait to get out’: Sydney FC’s freezing preparations for Sunday’s derby

Sydney FC’s players were in for a cold shock on Thursday morning after their win over Melbourne Victory.

Instead of their normal recovery session, those who played against Victory endured three minutes at minus 120 degrees inside a cryotherapy chamber to aid their recuperation for Sunday afternoon’s derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.

“It’s very cold in there”: Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant undergoes cryotherapy. Credit:Nick Moir

In the midst of a congested schedule before the A-League finals, the club is sparing no expense to ensure their players are in peak condition to beat their cross-town rivals.

Every morning after a home midweek game, Sydney FC players have undergone cryotherapy to accelerate their recovery. It’s a practice of short exposure to freezing temperatures that helps relieve pain, prevent delayed onset muscle soreness and is even thought to have benefits to sleep and mood.

“It’s very cold in there, it gets down to minus 120. It’s not too bad though,” Sydney fullback Rhyan Grant said. “With the quick turnaround, we have a big game on the weekend, things like these, even if it’s a small percentage improvement, it makes a big difference come the game.

“It’s meant to enhance the recovery time and even your sleeping is meant to improve a lot. Everyone knows sleeping is a major part of the body recovering too. It just puts you in good stead with the quick turnaround to make sure the body feels as good as it can.”

Sydney defender Joel King says the practice isn’t a comfortable one but has undeniable benefits.

“It’s freezing. My skin is stinging, I can’t wait to get out of there,” King said. “All the pain I had coming out of the game is gone. Just generally I feel a lot fresher, there’s no pain. It probably takes two days off my recovery.”

Sydney FC are seeking every advantage for Sunday’s crucial derby against the Wanderers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Sky Blues are in the hunt for a top two finish that will give them a much needed week’s break heading into the finals, while the Wanderers are fighting to finish inside the top six and end their three-year finals drought.

“We need to approach every game like it’s a grand final and Bimbi [coach Steve Corica ]has been drumming that into us. Sunday will be no different but there will be that added spice with it being a rivalry,” Grant said.

Beyond finals permutations are emotional matters. Sydney haven’t beaten the Wanderers in two-and-a-half years and are on a six-game winless streak against their fiercest rivals.

“It’s been hard to take that we haven’t been able to get a win against them or be successful,” Grant said. “Any game at this stage of the year is super important for us, we want to make sure we finish as high up the table as possible. We need to make sure we get all three points and make sure we give ourselves the best opportunity.”

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