WA's Socceroos chase dream World Cup qualification in Perth

Perth Now

3 days ago

When Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati began rehabilitation to repair his torn ACL last October, he was asked what his goals for recovery were.
The WA-raised centre-back had a very specific date in mind: June 5, and a game against Japan in his hometown.
'They asked me, when you first get your surgery, first start your rehab, 'what's your goal? What are you trying to accomplish?'' Circati said.
'I said there was a World Cup qualifier in Perth in June. My goal was to be able to go there.'
After a rapid six-and-a-half month recovery, the 21-year-old has ticked that box ahead of the Socceroos' Thursday night blockbuster against Japan at Optus Stadium.
Circati, along with fellow Sandgropers Adam Taggart and Cameron Burgess, will be in contention to start against Japan.
The feeling between Circati and Taggart, knowing a win would all but propel Australia to a sixth successive World Cup, is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch qualification in Perth.
'That's the cream of the crop, that's the dream,' Circati said.
'It's things you don't even dream of because they're so rare. But now I've got the opportunity, and I'm going to try take it in two hands.'
'It's almost surreal to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, not only for myself personally, but for the city and all the people I care about,' Perth Glory skipper Taggart said.
'Everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty and it's replayed over and over. I was trying to explain to my mum the other day, the game is a similar situation to that.
'To be able to have the chance to create something special, like the Aloisi penalty or the Josh Kennedy header (in 2013), to have the chance to do it here in Perth is massive and really special.' Circati, Burgess and Taggart are all WA products. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
Circati even being involved in camp is something of a surprise after he tore his ACL at the end of September during training with Serie A club side Parma.
Stunningly, he was back on the bench less than seven months later and played a full 90 minutes in their final two games of the year, including a 0-0 draw with eventual champions Napoli.
Circati said he began rehabilitation within three days of his operation and it was full systems go from there.
'I had surgery, went into rehab, was there for five-and-a-half months. After five-and-a-half months, I was sent back to the club and slowly started to train with the team, doing minimal things at the start, slowly and gradually moving into a full session,' he said.
'(At) about six-and-a-half months, I was training fully and started on the bench. Alessandro Circati takes a selfie for a supporter. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images
'I was doing rehab six hours a day, only had Sunday off, so it was was full on. I didn't have much free time, I don't think I had a single day off other than the break for Christmas and New Year.
'It was 9-12 in the morning, go home, have lunch, be back at 2pm and go to 5, 5.30pm.
'When I play, I forget about my knee completely. It's not an issue for me.'
The last time Circati played in Perth, he was playing for Glory's NPL team; Glory's A-League Men's skipper Taggart plays in Perth every other week, but his only national team appearance in his hometown came last year against Palestine at HBF Park. Adam Taggart in Socceroos training session at HBF Park on June 2. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images
Taggart said the Palestine game was one of the most memorable of his career, but a step towards World Cup qualification and a goal against Japan would probably top it.
'Knowing what's on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn't something that comes around too often, is something that obviously we all want to make the most of,' he said.
'I'm really proud there's a few boys representing Perth, to play in the city and represent the people coming to watch the game tomorrow. It's massive for the city.'