Western Sydney Wanderers captain Michael Beauchamp will play his 100th Hyundai A-League match when he runs out against Sydney FC on Saturday.
Western Sydney Wanderers Captain Michael Beauchamp will play his 100th Hyundai A-League match when he runs out against Sydney FC on Saturday 26 October at Allianz Stadium.
Growing up in Wakeley, the local lad jumped at the chance to join the Wanderers following their formation and was instilled as the inaugural Captain, making it fitting that he will notch up his century for his hometown club against their biggest rivals.
“As a footballer you want to play as long as you can and it-s an honour to play my 100th game,” said Beauchamp.
“To reach that milestone is a great achievement in itself and hopefully for the club I-ve got a lot more under my belt.”
With a big crowd expected, Beauchamp is looking forward to going toe-to-toe against his former teammates.
“At Sydney FC I played the whole season there a couple of years ago and I enjoyed my time there on the park but now with the Wanderers I-m looking forward to the big Derby match,” he said.
“There-s going to be plenty of red and black jerseys there so it will basically be a home crowd for us despite being at Allianz Stadium.
“I-m looking forward to the atmosphere; these are the games everyone looks forward to. It-s a special moment for the club and for me being my 100th match.”
As well as Sydney FC, the centre back previously played for Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Heart in the Hyundai A-League as well as a stint playing UEFA Champions League in Europe and Beauchamp appreciates his position as a professional footballer.
“It-s a privilege being able to do what you love, waking up every morning knowing you-re coming to do something that you love,” he said.
“I-m very lucky to be doing what I am doing and lucky to be doing it for as long as I have been and hopefully I can continue for years to come.”
Beauchamp shares the unusual record of being one of only two players to have played for three Hyundai A-League clubs in their first ever match and it-s no surprise that two of those rank as his best experiences in football.
“The whole of last season for me was a massive highlight and the first year up at the Mariners – being the first year of the Hyundai A-League – is another,” he said.
“Our Premiership year with the Wanderers was similar to the Mariners in many ways but the fact we were a new club in an established league playing against established clubs with squads who had been together for years made our achievements all the more special.”
Don-t miss Beauchamp bring up his century, get to the game and take advantage of free public transport for ticket-holders to and from the game. Simply show your ticket to the platform operator at the station to get through the gate. If you can-t get to the game the match will be broadcast live and ad-free on Fox Sports 1 and on ABC Radio.
Kick-off is 7:45 with gates opening at 5:30pm. If you are sitting in Western Sydney Wanderer-s active support please note that due to construction works your entry point is Gate A of the Sydney Cricket Ground.
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