Former Melbourne City midfielder Connor Metcalfe has put his World Cup rejection behind him as he bids for inclusion in Australia’s squad for subsequent yr’s Asian Cup in Qatar.
Metcalfe had been a bit-part participant throughout the Socceroos’ qualifying marketing campaign for final yr’s World Cup, and an absence of recreation time for his German second division membership St Pauli within the lead as much as the event led to him lacking out on Australia’s 26-man event squad.
However, 23-year-old Metcalfe has been a daily starter for the resurgent St Pauli up to now couple of months, resulting in his choice within the Socceroos squad for the present two-game sequence in opposition to Ecuador.
Having come off the bench in Australia’s 3-1 win over the South Americans in Sydney on Friday, Metcalfe is hopeful Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will give him a begin in recreation two of the sequence at Melbourne/s Marvel Stadium on Tuesday evening.
“I started my (professional) career here in Melbourne so it’s always special coming back here,” stated Metcalfe earlier than including that it was a “clean state” when it comes to nationwide workforce choice now that the World Cup was over.
“For me, every camp’s just an opportunity to show ‘Arnie’ and everyone what I can do.
“Playing overseas has given me more experience, and I feel more mature.
“I want to prove to everyone what I can do, and just enjoy my football, and hopefully keep playing well here and back at my club, so in the future I get to make the AFC (Asian Cup squad).”
Metcalfe paid tribute to fellow Socceroo and his St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine for serving to him settle in Germany.
“He just made it easier for me because he’s been there. He moved overseas when he was 14 or 15, so he knows what it’s like living away from family,” Metcalfe stated.
“He’s made it so easy, He already knew all the team as well, so he introduced me to everyone, and I feel like I’ve settled in really easily.
“He’s a big name at St Pauli and he’s a great captain – everyone looks up to him.”
Metcalfe additionally spoke of the spirit and camaraderie that existed within the Socceroos squad.
“Whenever we come back it just feels like we’ve seen each other yesterday,” he stated.
“It’s getting to that stage where the majority of boys are all the same age. It’s a nice feeling.
“We’ve got each other’s backs, no matter what.”
Socceroos v Ecuador
Tuesday, 7.30pm (AEDT)
Marvel Stadium.
Originally revealed as Connor Metcalfe units sights on securing a sport in Australia’s Asian Cup squad
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
