Perth Glory marquee signing Mile Sterjovski will return to National Team duties next week after being selected in the 23 man Socceroos squad to tackle Oman in an AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifier.
Perth Glory marquee signing Mile Sterjovski will return to National Team duties next week after being selected in the 23 man Socceroos squad to tackle Oman in an AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifier.
Sterjovski missed an opportunity to add to his 41 caps a month ago when an ankle injury kept him out of the Socceroos 1-0 win against Oman in Melbourne but he returned to action for Perth last weekend and was back to his best with a stunning strike from 23 meters.
“Whenever there is a chance to play for the Socceroos you want to put your hand up and be part of it so I-m delighted to be included in the squad,” Sterjovski said.
“I have gone about each game this season with the Glory as I normally do and that is to perform to the best of my ability and help the team. I haven-t felt any added pressure to get back into the Socceroos squad and just kept working hard and waited for my opportunity.
“I think Pim knows what I can offer, and he also knows what Jacob (Burns) and Chris (Coyne) can offer as well and everyone will get their chance at some point,” Sterjovski said.
Sterjovski last played for the Socceroos in June when Australia qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will be hoping to do his bit to help the Aussies secure a place in the Asian Football Confederation-s most prestigious tournament.
“There is obviously the World Cup coming up but it-s just as important to be a powerhouse in our own region and to qualify for the Asian Cup is a high priority,” Sterjovski said.
“I still think I can do a job for the Socceroos and I-m looking forward to be given that chance again next week.”
Sterjovski will take his place in the Perth line-up when they tackle Wellington Phoenix on Sunday in New Zealand and then immediately depart to join the Socceroos squad in Oman.
AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifier
Oman v Australia
Saturday 14 November 2009 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex – Muscat, Oman
Kick-off: 6.00pm local (10.00pm AWST)
Qantas Socceroos Squad – Name, Club, Appearances (goals)
Mark BRESCIANO (U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy) – 51 (11), Tim CAHILL (Everton FC, England) – 36 (18), David CARNEY (FC Twente, Netherlands) – 22 (3), Scott CHIPPERFIELD (FC Basel, Switzerland) – 62 (12), Jason CULINA (Gold Coast United, Australia) – 44 (1), Bruce DJITE (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey) – 7 (0), Brett EMERTON (Blackburn Rovers, England) – 71 (16), Adam FEDERICI (Reading FC, England), Brett HOLMAN (AZ Alkmaar, Holland) – 28 (1), Mile JEDINAK (Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey) – 8 (0), Brad JONES (Middlesbrough FC, England) – 1 (0), Josh KENNEDY (Nagoya Grampus, Japan) – 17 (6), Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey) – 44 (13), Patrick KISNORBO (Leeds United FC, England) – 17 (1), Mark MILLIGAN (Shanghai Shenua, China) – 8 (0), Craig MOORE (Brisbane Roar, Australia) – 45 (3), Lucas NEILL (Everton FC, England) – 52 (0), Mark SCHWARZER (Fulham FC, England) – 72 (0), Mile STERJOVSKI (Perth Glory, Australia) – 41 (8), Carl VALERI (U.S. Grosseto FC, Italy) – 19 (0), Dario VIDOSIC (FC Nurnberg, Germany) – 3 (0), Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia) – 37 (0), Rhys WILLIAMS (Middlesbrough FC, England) – 2 (0)
