Boyle: These are the games you can be a hero
Subway Socceroo Martin Boyle said that he was incredibly excited to take on Japan on Thursday evening in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifier.
He was speaking to media in Perth on Monday ahead of the all-important game at Perth Stadium.
He also reflected on the last qualification cycle for 2022, and he outlined his expectations of a young Japan side.
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The success of Abu Dhabi training camp
It was a long training camp, but worth it. You enjoy it through hard work, and that's certainly what we've done. We know what the end goal for us is, and that's to automatically qualify for the World Cup. We're all on the same wavelength, and that's what we want to achieve. So that's why the hard work has been put in for this preparation and fingers crossed we can do it.
Club form with Hibernian
It was a bit of a roller coaster at the start. We'd say we were underachieving, but we certainly picked up after December, which is good. Personal achievements - and scoring goals and assists - is probably the best thing to do in football. But it's a team sport, and helping the club in any way is brilliant. Fingers crossed, I can take my form from club football to the international level.
Qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2022
To this day, it’s probably the greatest achievement I've had in my career, qualifying for that World Cup. There's no better feeling - just the adrenaline, the buzz. It's the pinnacle of people's careers. Being selected for the World Cup could maybe top that, but qualifying, and knowing that you've done it to help your nation qualify for the World Cup – it’s a special feeling.
We’ll definitely be drilling that [special feeling] into the lads. We’ve got a few young boys that are experiencing it for the first time, but we have a good core of experience in there to make sure that they're well aware of what they want to achieve. It's certainly what we want to achieve, and it's the best feeling on Earth.
Playing Japan on Thursday
It's brilliant. These are the games you like to play in, the massive games. You play in a lot of big games in your career, but these are the games you can be a hero. Everyone will have an eye on doing that. But most importantly is qualifying for the nation. We know how difficult it will be. We’ve been working hard. We've got the core together, and we'll definitely be prepared for Thursday night.
Expectations of opposition
We expect a really tough game as it always is. Doesn't matter the level of opposition that they put out, there's still going to be a high-quality team out there. Even if it is a younger squad or new squad, they'll want to fight for spots, and be part of the World Cup that they've qualified for. We’ll be ready for the challenge, and hopefully we take the game to them.
SUBWAY SOCCEROOS’ FIXTURES | JUNE FIFA MEN’S INTERNATIONAL WINDOW
Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+