- Mat Leckie has not given up on the Socceroos recall
- Overlooked in the World Cup qualifying campaign so far
- Unforgettable goal at the 2022 World Cup against Denmark
- Helped Socceroo reach the round of 16 in Qatar
Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie has not given up hope of a Socceroos recall but says he needs to start the A-League season well to force his way into the plans of recently appointed national team boss Tony Popovic.
The Popovic era started on a positive note on Thursday evening as Australia defeated China 3-1 at Adelaide Oval.
Leckie, 33, was not part of Popovic’s squad for the current international window and was also left out by then Socceroos coach Graham Arnold last month due to Australia’s 1-0 defeat to Bahrain and 0-0 draw against Indonesia.
The versatile forward’s case hasn’t been helped by the fact that the A-League season doesn’t start until October 18.
“Of course I would love to be there (in the Socceroos squad) now,” Leckie said.
“I always enjoy going to the national team and playing for Australia, but this time of year is always difficult for A-League players, especially me.
‘I haven’t always been able to get too many games under my belt.’
Therefore, the early weeks of the A-League season will be crucial to Leckie’s hopes of being selected in Australia’s squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie has not given up hope of a Socceroos recall but knows he needs to start the A-League season well to force his way into coach Tony Popovic’s plans
Leckie became an instant Socceroos legend after his goal against Denmark secured qualification for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
“What I’m most focused on right now is just getting the season started, playing well, playing consistent games and getting some consistent minutes. Then it’s up to the coach,” said the 2022 World Cup hero.
“There has been a change there, and ‘Popa’ will have his ideas. If I’m in it, great. I’m just going to try to do my thing on the field [Melbourne] City to give myself every opportunity to be chosen again (for the Socceroos).”
Leckie fully understood Arnold’s decision last month to step down after six years as national coach.
“He made it quite clear that he had probably been thinking about it for a while, and if he didn’t think he was the right guy to do it anymore, that’s completely understandable,” he said.
“If he said he had to walk away, it wouldn’t have been easy, but he did it for himself and also for the national team.”
Melbourne City begin their new A-League campaign on October 19 against the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium, with Leckie looking to help his club regain its status as title contenders after narrowly finishing in the top six last season and being eliminated in the competition. first week of finals.
“When you start the season slowly you feel like you’re just playing catch-up and that was certainly the feeling last season,” he said.
“Hopefully we can start well and build from there.”