Subway Socceroos goalkeeper Joe Gauci said that he’s physically in the best spot he’s ever been in his career after a hip injury that saw him miss the March international window.
The 24-year-old was speaking to the media from the team’s training camp in Abu Dhabi, where an extended squad is preparing for upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Gauci also touched on the intensity in the training camp, the improvement that he has seen in the squad since his last camp in November, and his confidence in the team for the upcoming window.
Injury recovery
The seven weeks of rehab that I did was really enjoyable. It was frustrating to miss the national team in March, but weirdly enough, I'm kind of grateful for the experience that I had through that. I feel that physically, I'm probably in the best spot I've ever been in my career. It was really pleasing to be rewarded to go back and finish the season with the final three games of the season at Barnsley, and to show the improvements that I've made.
Taking positives from the process
I've had injuries in the past, and I've always tried to take the positives from them. To be able to work on my goalkeeping again, slowly building it up over the weeks, has really helped me in my development. You don't have time when you're in the cut and thrust of football to slow it down and really work on the technical details, and that's something I was blessed with - time through the injury.
The training camp
The demands of the boss and the coaching staff are that elite standards apply to everything. Whether we're on the field, off the field, how we eat, how we recover - having our standards at the highest that they can be is the main focus. So it definitely has a real intensity about it.
The improvement in the squad
I know all the boys have been really enjoying it. You can see it every day. The growth in our style of play, and the fluidity of our movements and passing patterns, is really growing. So it's exciting. Having missed out on March, to see the growth of the squad from November to now - it's fantastic.
Competing for first-choice goalkeeper
Maty [Ryan] has been a fantastic mentor and role model. Younger me would be going crazy to say that there’s competition for the number one spot for Australia. It’s something that you never think is going to happen when I'm a young keeper and going and watching him play, and watching his highlights on YouTube and things like that. Now, to be able to share a dressing room and to seek advice from him - it's really cool. To hear that I'm in contention [for the number one spot] is quite special.
Going into the games with confidence
There's no reason to question it [qualification for the FIFA World Cup], and use ifs and buts. I know that I have full faith that we're going to qualify. The positive messaging and positive mindset in everything that we do has definitely continued.
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+