Latest news with #Circati
The Advertiser
12 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
13 hours ago
- General
- West Australian
Socceroos Alessandro Circati and Adam Taggart dreaming of World Cup qualification in hometown of Perth
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 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. '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. 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.'
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
WA's Socceroos chase dream World Cup qualification in Perth
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.'
West Australian
13 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
13 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."
