Balard: Everyone knows this is an opportunity to show what you can do
CommBank Socceroos midfielder Max Balard said that the squad was building camaraderie with every international window, as every player recognises that they have an opportunity to impress Head Coach Tony Popovic ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year.
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He was speaking to media from the United States where the squad is preparing to take on Venezuela and Colombia in a pair of international friendlies.
He also touched on what the team took out of games against Canada and USA last month, as well as what he can learn from having fellow midfielder Jackson Irvine back in the squad for the first time since March.
Expectations of Venezuela
It's an opposition that we haven't really faced so far - well, at least I haven't faced so far! It's very exciting. Of course, they have a lot of talent, playing overseas in Europe, they've got some really top players. It's going to be a tough game, and it'll be interesting. You watch South American teams play all the time, and you can see how aggressive they are and how also how technical they are, how much they love football, and they're very passionate - as their fans are as well. I'm very excited to play against this type of opposition. I think it will suit us very well to bring the fight out of us. I'm very excited for it.
The return of Jackson Irvine
He's led Australia for many games, and I'm just trying to learn off him as much as I can. He was in one of my first few camps with the national team. He was a really nice guy to me, took me under his wing a bit, and taught me a few things. He's a top player. I'm really happy to see him back in camp and that he's healthy, because it's very important for the nation as well as myself to compete with a player of this quality is something that I aspire to achieve. And whether it's playing alongside him - I believe we'd play really well alongside each other - but if it is to compete, then I know it's just going to make me a better player as well. So I'm really looking forward to having him in camp and continuing to build that relationship with him.
Building depth in the squad
It's a camp to build on the quality that we have, and that we've been developing throughout the series of games that we've played. It just adds a bigger pool of players that are available for the World Cup. I think it's very exciting for not only us as players, but Australia as a whole, to see that the talent is coming through - with players that are still to make their debuts and some that are returning from their injuries, or coming back as very experienced players. It's very exciting. It goes to show that there are a lot of players that can play at this level with Australia. And it's a good group that are trying to achieve something very special at the end of the day. We've got a big tournament coming up at the end of this season. Everyone's very eager to show what they can do.
The vibes in camp
Throughout the whole time that I've been in camp, at least the past few camps, everyone knows that it is an opportunity to show what you can do. The vibes in this camp are pretty similar to most camps. Everyone's got a good spirit. Everyone's in high spirits, hoping to show what they can do on the pitch. But of course, in training, that's where it starts, and everyone's bringing their best game, and they're preparing for these trainings as much as they can. It's definitely an opportunity for a lot of players to show what they can do. I'm no different. I'm trying to do my best in this camp.
The bond within the team is growing every camp. I think relationships between players are growing. The camaraderie is excellent, I believe. It's a really nice feeling to be in camp with boys that really support you in every way possible. Not only do they support, but they push you to be at your best, because you know that at the end of the day, there is a spot at the World Cup that we're all fighting for. So it's definitely a good mix, a good balance, and I think it will bring us very far.
Growing as a player
During my time at NAC Breda, I am developing week in, week out, and I always aspire to improve. I think over time, I gradually put my foot forward and showed him [Popovic] that I have been improving since the first camp that he brought me in, which I was very grateful for. Since then, I've tried every step of the way to improve - whether it was technically, physically, mentally - all aspects of the game, pretty much. I think I've matured a lot since the first camp that he brought me in, and it's helped within these last few camps. And thankfully, in September, when I finally got my opportunity, I was ready and scored a goal, which was an incredible feeling.
I know that I'm nowhere near where I want to be. I think I've got a lot more improvement to make, and I'm very excited to make those improvements. In an environment like this, it just supports that pathway. I'm really excited for the future on what I can develop and what I can bring to this team.
Excitement for the World Cup
We were just driving from training this afternoon, and you see a sign already talking about the World Cup and how many games are going to be played in Texas. It's very exciting. It's definitely building, people will really grasp onto it. As soon as the games start getting closer and they see how much international presence the World Cup brings, I think the US will just eat it up even more already. You can see the MLS is growing week in, week out. By the time the World Cup comes, all these countries - Mexico, US, Canada - will just explode, and it'll be a big, a big event. I'm very excited to see what it's going to turn out to be, and very excited to see if I can put my foot forward and be part of it.
Match Details
Venezuela v CommBank Socceroos
Date: Friday, 14 November (local)
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas
Kick-off: 8:30pm local/1:30pm AEDT (Saturday, November 15)
Tickets: Click here for Tickets
Broadcast: 10, 10.com.au, Paramount+