As the Subway Socceroos prepare for their clash with Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, Brandon Borrello spoke to the media today about the honour of putting on the Green and Gold jersey, playing in Melbourne and more, after receiving his first call-up in eight months.
Borrello has made a blistering start to his A-League Men’s campaign, having scored two goals and set up a further couple for club side Western Sydney Wanderers.
Having scored in the Socceroos’ last match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Borrello is excited at the prospect of playing in front of the home crowd as he works under Tony Popovic for the first time in his career.
Here’s what he had to say when he faced the media earlier today.
On finding out about the call-up
I was just at home with a little one, and obviously my wife was there as well. I’m stoked. It's been a while since I've been in camp, about eight months. I'm pretty sure my son was born a week before my last camp. So it's been that amount of time, but obviously it's a great amount of confidence getting called up, especially by the new coach. So I'm looking forward to it.
On whether he was surprised
Usually there's a sense. The physios will let you know that they're monitoring you, and you need to make sure that you're in shape and keeping up to date and letting them know what's going on. But actually knowing that you've made the squad comes a few days before we get the plane ticket to come into camp. So yeah, it's always an exciting time, but that was just a standard day. It's probably the way I like it.
On what it means to put on the Green and Gold jersey
First, obviously, it's the pressure to qualify for a World Cup. And then, second of all, it's just a massive privilege. It's the pinnacle of our sport, in football in Australia, to play for the national team. It's a privilege, but it's one that you can't take for granted, because you're in one camp and then you're out for 18 months, or you just never know what's going to happen. So every time you come into camp, you need to make sure you put your best foot forward.
On working under Popovic for the first time
It's the first time. The only connection between him and I is that we've both been a part of Western Sydney. I'm looking forward to it. I spoke to a few of his players from Melbourne Victory to make sure I do the right things and start off on the right foot, so that's been good.
On the standards in camp
As long as the players keep on doing the things that are asked, and keep putting their best foot forward, then that's the standard. You know there's a level that you need to keep at every day, and I'm sure the boss expects that as a minimum from us. We just need to prepare as well as we can to make sure everyone gets into camp. It's a good feeling in camp already, even though not all the boys are here. It's a very exciting time.
On his favoured position
Honestly, it's not my biggest concern, I'm happy with game time regardless. I'm sort of that type of player. I could play even though I'm playing as a striker, I’d play as a goalkeeper if it got me on the pitch. However, he sees fit for me to play, if I was to play, I'm happy to do a job.
On aiming to make the potential squad for the World Cup
It's not just an Asian Cup. I’ve missed out on, I think, two World Cups and an Asian Cup. I've been a part of all the qualifiers leading up to big tournaments, but I've not played in a big tournament yet. So that's obviously a massive goal of mine, to get there.
On taking on Saudi Arabia
We can't take any game lightly at the moment. That's the situation we're in, and I don't think the coaches want to take those situations lightly either. So we need to prepare as best as we can. I'm sure we'll have a few video sessions on them and make sure we iron out the details for the game.
On Australia’s last game at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
That was great. I think it was my second goal for the Socceroos. So we had a good night that night. I'm not sure if it'll be 7-0 this time round, different opponent. But yeah, we've shared good memories in Melbourne.
On the Melbourne crowd
It's definitely hostile. Melbourne is known for supporting their teams in terms of Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City - they've got some of the best fan bases there. As a Socceroo, I think that'll give us a bit of an edge, having the home crowd advantage, which will be great. Obviously, that's the 12th man for us. But if we don't do what we do on the pitch, then the fans don't get behind us. So we need to make sure that we represent them as much as we do ourselves on Thursday night.
Match Details
Subway Socceroos v Saudi Arabia
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Bahrain v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 19 November 2024
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Kick-off: 9:15pm local Tuesday, 19 November 2024 (5:15am AEDT – Wednesday, 20 November)
Broadcast: Paramount+