Davidson junior sets sights on history books

Should Jason Davidson appear for the Qantas Socceroos against Scotland on Wednesday, he and father Alan Davidson will create history.

Should Jason Davidson appear for the Qantas Socceroos against Scotland on Wednesday, he and father Alan Davidson will create history.

Only twice previously has a father/son combination represented the Qantas Socceroos - Alex and Lex Gibb (debuts in 1922 & 1938) along with Cliff and Jason van Blerk (debuts in 1967 & 1990).

Indeed, before being welcomed into his first Qantas Socceroo camp, Davidson received some sage words from his 79-time capped father.

“He-s happy, firstly he-s happy because his son-s got his first call up and then secondly because he was a footballer as well, especially playing for Australia he-s happy that I-m following in his footsteps,” said Davidson.

“He just said to me ‘stay concentrated- and he knows that I have the ability, because if I didn-t have the ability I wouldn-t have got the call up.

“So (he told me) ‘just be confident and stick to my game, try to do my best and perform-.”

Playing his club football at Dutch outfit Heracles Almelo, Davidson missed his club-s season opener at the weekend but remains hopeful of playing a key role throughout the 2012/13 Eredivise campaign.

It was while with Heracles last season that Davidson staked his claim for a Qantas Socceroo berth, with the 21-year-old making eight late season League and Cup appearances.

Capped at Qantas Young Socceroo level, Davidson is now planning to make the most of his first experience with the senior national team.

“It-s absolutely a great feeling, I just remember when I was on the sofa at home watching these players playing World Cup qualifiers and 2006 when we made it to the World Cup after how many years,” said Davidson.

“It-s great to have dinner with them, meet the boys and get on the training field with them.

“(While in camp I hope to) do my best and try to impress the coach, it-s only a couple of days and one of the days is a game, so hopefully if I do get the chance to come onto the pitch, to show the coach and the players what I can do and perform.”

The Qantas Socceroos are next in action on Wednesday, 15 August, when they take on Scotland in an international friendly at Edinburgh-s Easter Road Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm local time (Kick off is at 5am AEST, Thursday, 16 August).

Australia-s FIFA World Cup qualification journey resumes on Tuesday, 11 September, when the Qantas Socceroos meet the challenge of Jordan in Amman. Kick off is at 7pm local time (Kick off is at 2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos are next in Australia in 2013, starting with a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia on Tuesday, 26 March. Kick off is at 7.30pm local time.

The Qantas Socceroos return to Stadium Australia on Tuesday, 18 June to continue their FIFA World Cup qualification journey against Iraq. Kick off is at 7.30pm local time.

Tickets for each of the aforementioned matches at Stadium Australia are on sale from Ticketek - or via phone, 132 849.