Adelaide United goalkeeper, Joe Gauci, has described his debut for the Socceroos as a “dream come true”, after starting against Ecuador in a friendly on Tuesday night.
After being a train-on for the Socceroos 12 months ago, Gauci was eventually selected in his first official international training camp a few weeks ago and headed into the period with hopes of donning the green and gold.
Speaking upon his return to Adelaide and ahead of Friday night’s Isuzu UTE A-League match against Western Sydney Wanderers, Gauci’s confidence was high and his smile very wide.
Being told he was starting:
“I was actually sitting with (Craig Goodwin) at a cafe in the hotel and (Graham Arnold) came in sat down and asked Goody what it felt like when he made his debut for the Socceroos and if he was ready to help me to make mine.
“It was it was nice to be able to share that with a teammate and a good friend, and captain of Adelaide.
“I kind of thought: ‘Is this really happening? Is this the conversation we’re having right now?’
“I wasn’t expecting it.
“It was always a dream to play for the Socceroos and I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly, but I’m extremely grateful that I was given the opportunity to show what I can do.”
Reflecting on the game:
“It hasn’t sunk in yet.
“I had a little moment, once the final whistle went and kind of just stood there and soaked it in a little bit, but (the) adrenaline is still pumping.
“I walked off the field happy and proud of myself.
“It would have been nice to get the result, obviously we got a positive result on Friday night in Sydney, so it would have been nice to go two-from-two.
“It’s not always going to be the perfect fairytale on a debut and it would have been nice to keep a clean sheet, but I’m proud of myself and put my best forward.”
Shifting focus back to the Reds:
“I’m enjoying right now, obviously (debuting for the Socceroos) being so fresh.
“But the focus is still on Adelaide and doing something extremely special this year.
“We’re in exceptional form over the last two months and it’s a big game Friday – a real statement game for us.
“We’ve got a really special group and going into finals and potentially coming out with silverware is where all my focus is.”
