Latest news with #AlessandroCircati
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Alessandro Circati's disciplined recovery pays off with his availability for Australia's game against Japan
The chance to play for the Socceroos in his hometown in a game that could secure Australia qualification for next year's FIFA World Cup was all the motivation that emerging star Alessandro Circati needed to make a swift recovery from a serious knee injury. Circati ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a training session with his Italian top-flight club Parma in September last year. It seemed certain the young defender would not only miss the rest of the Serie A season, but also Australia's games this month against Japan and Saudi Arabia. National coach Tony Popovic certainly wasn't expecting him back for the current international window as knee reconstructions often sideline players for at least nine months. However, having set himself the target to be available for selection for Thursday night's clash with Japan at Optus Stadium in Perth – the city he moved to as a one-year-old with his family from Italy – nothing was going to stop Circati achieving his goal, even if it meant six hours of rehabilitation six days a week for several months. 'When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?',' he said. 'I said, 'there are two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. 'I'm lucky enough to be able to do that. I'm very privileged to be able to play such an important game at home at a beautiful stadium in a beautiful city.' Circati was back in Parma's match-day squad by April, and last month played full games in his team's final two matches of the season, which were crucial contests against eventual champions Napoli and third-placed Atalanta. 'I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than speed it up,' 21-year-old Circati said. 'It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before. 'I returned really well, stronger than what I was before. Over that (recovery) time, I really worked on myself as a person and as an athlete. 'I worked on areas where maybe I was weak or areas I had to improve.' Circati has attracted interest from powerhouses Napoli and Juventus, but he takes such transfer talk with a 'grain of salt'. Instead, he's focused on helping the Socceroos get the better of a Japan squad that includes his Parma teammate, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Quickfire chat with our new director of content Connor Metcalfe 😂🎬 🇦🇰 v 🇯🇵 - 5.6.25, 9pm AEST (7pm local) 🎟ï¸�: ðŸ'±ðŸ'»ðŸ'°: Live on 10, 10 Play, Paramount+ ðŸ'»: ABC Radio via the ABC Listen App #Socceroos #WAtheDreamState — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 4, 2025 'I've already given a few words back in Parma, telling him that we're going to score – it's just friendly competition between us,' Circati said. 'He's a great guy, he's a very humble guy, his personality is great, (and) he's had an amazing year. 'Moving into a new country isn't easy with a new language, but he's integrated perfectly. His mentality as a person is (at the) top.' A win over Japan, who have sent a weakened squad to Perth having already sealed qualification, would all but secure the Socceroos a World Cup berth thanks to their existing three-point advantage and vastly superior goal difference over Saudi Arabia. The top two nations from Group C in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers – currently Japan and Australia – are assured of World Cup spots. The Saudis, who meet Bahrain on Friday morning ahead of their date with the Socceroos next week in Jeddah, are in third place.
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us." Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us." Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Health
- West Australian
Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. Back home in Perth and back in the Subway #Socceroos squad 👊Ale Circati is raring to go 💪🇦🇺 v 🇯🇵 - 5.6.25, 9pm AEST (7pm local)🎟️: Live on 10, 10 Play, Paramount+📻: ABC Radio via the ABC Listen App#WAtheDreamState — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 3, 2025 The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
