Auckland FC's Jake Girdwood-Reich hopes to break the heart of his younger self come the final whistle of tonight's A-League Men's Grand Final at Mt Smart. 

The Sydney-born defender signed with Sydney FC Youth at the age of 12 and won an Australia Cup with the Sky Blues in 2023. 

But tonight he’s aiming to claim victory over his former side, as Auckland FC aim to make history and claim their first A-League title in their second-ever season. 

Girdwood-Reich downplayed the pressure of a Grand Final clash, telling Piney that while there’ll be a couple more nerves in the changing room it’s ultimately still a 90 minute football game.  

“Nothing should change for us.” 

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