Davidson: I never gave up hope of representing Socceroos once again

Taryn Heddo 1742268620,1742269483

Subway Socceroos left-back Jason Davidson reflected on his emotions after being selected for the first time since 2022 ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers against Indonesia and China PR.

Davidson last represented the Subway Socceroos in June 2022. Prior to that call-up, it had been seven years since he wore the Green and Gold for his country.

The 33-year-old told media on Tuesday morning that he had never given up on his dream. He spoke about his pride in putting on the jersey once more. He elaborated on how he intends to make the most of his opportunity, and touched on watching the next generation of Socceroos come through in club sides around the world.

Reigniting the flame

When the boss [Tony Popovic] became the national team coach, it reignited a bit of a flame, and the ambition to work hard and maybe get an opportunity. Then I got a text that I was on the monitoring list - that's the first step in the process. Then I got that call, I got the text [saying he was selected], and I was very excited. My family was very excited. For me personally, I only had one daughter when I represented the country last time. So to have my son now who's a bit older and understands football, he was very excited. So for me, from my family's perspective, they were very happy. And me, too - I'm happy to be here.

Never giving up hope

I don't think you ever give up hope. I think it's always in the back of your head, because for me, I've always said in my career that to represent your country is the greatest honour and privilege. So you always, as a footballer, have that ambition to represent your country. It's difficult sometimes when you're away for so long. And unfortunately, I did get that call-up in 2022 just before the World Cup, but then injured myself in the practice game. I didn't want to end my international career that way. I've been fortunate enough to be given another opportunity.

Taking opportunities as they come

As a footballer and as coaches out there, everyone has a different opinion about players. So for a footballer, all you can do is produce and do your talking on the pitch. I thought, playing in Belgium at the time, I was doing as much as I could, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough. And now, a new manager has come in. He has a style of play. I've worked under him twice. So for me, it's just about doing my talking on the pitch. And I'm sure, like all the boys here, everyone wants to go out there. We're all hoping for an opportunity, and it's your responsibility as a player to go out there and take it.

The responsibility of coming into the squad is to push one another, and one thing I know with the boss is that no one can expect to play. Everyone is on their tiptoes, and everyone needs to perform well in training, and then - when given that opportunity - needs to perform on the pitch. So for me, the first step was to come into camp, to step into the door. Now my job is to perform in training and, if given that opportunity, to take it.

The next generation

We have a great pool of the next generation coming through. Very happy to see them doing well. Nestor [Irankunda] is doing really well, I see, on his loan move in Switzerland. Having worked under the boss before, my advice to those guys would be just to keep their head down. Keep working hard. Do your talking on the pitch. He's always watching. You never know when your opportunity comes. I can just use myself as an example that you know when you least expect it, you might get that opportunity. So you've got to make sure that you're ready to take it.

Winning mentality

Each game should be a match where you think that you have to win. You go out there to win. So for me, these next two games, we're going out there for six points. But the first thing is that we've got Thursday against Indonesia, at home, on home soil. So we have to go out there and believe in ourselves, believe in the system, and go out there and try to win.

MATCH DETAILS

Subway Socceroos v Indonesia
Thursday, 20 March 2025
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: Available via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+

China PR v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 10.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+