Troisi aiming for first senior cap
In a little over nine months James Troisi has come from the wilderness, to become a first team regular in Qantas Under 23 (Olympic) team and hopefully on Saturday against Singapore, one of several players to earn his first senior international cap.
In a little over nine months James Troisi has come from the wilderness, to become a first team regular in Qantas Under 23 (Olympic) team and hopefully on Saturday against Singapore, one of several players to earn his first senior international cap.
When his name popped up as a fresh-faced 18-year-old playing with Newcastle United in England, everybody outside of Adelaide, asked ‘James Who-.
But since making his debut for the 23-s in May last year against Iran, a game in which he scored, the exciting left footer hasn-t put a foot wrong for the Beijing-bound team and his talents haven-t gone unnoticed by national team coach Pim Verbeek.
Troisi was part of the final squad named for the Qatar match and while he didn-t make his debut in that game, he must be considered a strong candidate to start against Singapore.
“Obviously I would love to be involved,” Troisi said from the team-s base in Singapore. “I believe I can play at this level, but it-s all up to him (Pim Verbeek); I just need to keep training well and do my best when I can.
“I am looking forward to the game; we-ve got a few more days to prepare ourselves but hopefully I can get a run on Saturday.”
Troisi, along with Harry Kewell, Michael Beauchamp, Adrian Leijer and Ryan Griffiths are the only overseas-based players in the squad for the Singapore game, but needed to get special permission from manager Kevin Keegan to join the squad.
It-s been a frustrating time for the South Australian at Newcastle, with the club struggling in the Premiership and Troisi first team opportunities almost non-existent since the arrival of Keegan six weeks ago.
That has prompted Verbeek to suggest that Troisi may have to move clubs to find first team football if he wants to figure more with the national teams. His contract with Newcastle finishes at the end of the season.
“Kevin been pretty good about it and he has obviously let me come here,” Troisi explained.
“Obviously that-s what I want to do, is play first team football. Newcastle is going through a tough period at the moment, so it-s been a bit hard for me to get in the squad. I just have to look at my options (at the end of the season), wait and see what-s happening. I want to start playing first team football soon, as I am getting a little bit older now.”
Troisi is one of a host of Olympic players in the squad, which has made the camp a little easier in terms of familiar faces but concedes the step up in to international level is harder than the rigours of regular season games.
“Yeh, it-s good, all the boys are well and it-s great that Pim has got a lot of us younger players in. We all get along well and hopefully we can do the same on Saturday.
“It-s a bit harder (international football), as the style of play is a lot slower. But the hardest thing is the travel here and the weather here is very humid and you have the time difference as well to contend with.
“It-s good though, because it tests you out a bit.”
Australia plays Singapore on Saturday night, with FOX Sports broadcasting the match Live from 10.00pm (AEDT). There will also be a LIVE text commentary of the game right here on www.footballaustralia.com.au
This is followed by the 2010 World Cup qualifying match against China on Wednesday March 26, with FOX Sports coverage starting at 4.30pm (AEDT). There will also be a LIVE text commentary of the game on www.footballaustralia.com.au