Reddy and Ivan Necevski shared goalkeeping duties during the preseason as Vitezslav Lavicka and Sydney FC goalkeeper coach Zeljko Kalac gave both players an opportunity to stake their claim.

Reddy, who started in 18 of Sydney's matches last season, was happy to have won the battle but focused on making sure he remains first choice for the entire season after he was usurped by Necevski 13 times following a dip in form.

“Obviously I’m happy to have been selected to start the first game in goals,” Reddy said. “We’ve had a great preseason and it was made clear to us both (Reddy and Necevski) that it was a 50/50 choice and I’m glad I’ll start.

“Now I have to make sure that I continue to train hard and perform week in week out because I know there is competition for a place. Last year I missed some matches and I don’t want to do that again this season.”

Reddy will have a stern early test on Saturday night against a Melbourne Victory side that possesses a multitude of attacking options in Archie Thompson, Harry Kewell, Danny Allsopp, Carlos Hernandez and Jean Carlos Solorzano.

“They are a strong side and they have a lot of attacking options so it will be a tough assignment for all of us,” Reddy said. “Not just Harry but Archie, Allsopp, Hernandez and Solorzano, they have some good attacking players.

“But we have done well in recruiting some good experienced defenders like Megsy (Michael Beauchamp), Pascal Bosschaart and Jamie Coyne and both Jamo (Scott Jamieson) and Sebba (Sebastian Ryall) have looked good in pre season.”

Coach Vitezslav Lavicka gave Reddy a glowing endorsement but also warned both goalkeepers that he expected the competition for the No.1 position to continue.

“Liam has won the first starting role after the preseason,” Lavicka said. “He has done well and will start but we have two experienced goalkeepers and Liam and Ivy will continue to push each other all year.”