Latest news with #WAtheDreamState
Yahoo
2 days 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."
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Riley McGree named in extended Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers
The 26-year-old will make his return to the international level after an injury-plagued 2025. Head coach Tony Popovic also named four players to receive their first international call-up, including Paul Okon-Enstler – the son of veteran Socceroo Paul Okon. 📋 Tony Popovic's squad for the Subway #Socceroos' June #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia is here! 👊 🗞️ Details: — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 1, 2025 Australia finish the third round of qualifiers against Japan in Perth on June 5 and away to Saudi Arabia five days later knowing two draws will be enough to reach next summer's World Cup finals. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.' The Socceroos are guaranteed to advance into the fourth qualifying round should they fail to secure a top-two spot at this stage.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Riley McGree named in extended Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers
The 26-year-old will make his return to the international level after an injury-plagued 2025. Head coach Tony Popovic also named four players to receive their first international call-up, including Paul Okon-Enstler – the son of veteran Socceroo Paul Okon. 📋 Tony Popovic's squad for the Subway #Socceroos' June #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia is here! 👊 🗞️ Details: — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 1, 2025 Australia finish the third round of qualifiers against Japan in Perth on June 5 and away to Saudi Arabia five days later knowing two draws will be enough to reach next summer's World Cup finals. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.' The Socceroos are guaranteed to advance into the fourth qualifying round should they fail to secure a top-two spot at this stage.
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Riley McGree named in extended Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers
Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree has been named in an extended 26-player squad for Australia's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old will make his return to the international level after an injury-plagued 2025. Head coach Tony Popovic also named four players to receive their first international call-up, including Paul Okon-Enstler – the son of veteran Socceroo Paul Okon. 📋 Tony Popovic's squad for the Subway #Socceroos ' June #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia is here! 👊 🗞️ Details: #WAtheDreamState — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 1, 2025 Australia finish the third round of qualifiers against Japan in Perth on June 5 and away to Saudi Arabia five days later knowing two draws will be enough to reach next summer's World Cup finals. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.' The Socceroos are guaranteed to advance into the fourth qualifying round should they fail to secure a top-two spot at this stage.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Riley McGree named in extended Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers
The 26-year-old will make his return to the international level after an injury-plagued 2025. Head coach Tony Popovic also named four players to receive their first international call-up, including Paul Okon-Enstler – the son of veteran Socceroo Paul Okon. 📋 Tony Popovic's squad for the Subway #Socceroos' June #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia is here! 👊 🗞️ Details: — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 1, 2025 Australia finish the third round of qualifiers against Japan in Perth on June 5 and away to Saudi Arabia five days later knowing two draws will be enough to reach next summer's World Cup finals. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.' The Socceroos are guaranteed to advance into the fourth qualifying round should they fail to secure a top-two spot at this stage.
