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Socceroos World Cup hero Mitch Duke takes big career step after starring in Australia’s giant-killing streak in Qatar
- Socceroos striker has signed with J2 squad Machida Zevlia ahead of the 2023 season
- A very impressive World Cup follows, where the 31-year-old Duke led the line in Qatar
- Duke has also played for Fagiano Okayama and Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan.
Socceroos World Cup hero Mitch Duke is on the move in Japan, signing with J2 squad Machida Zelvia ahead of the 2023 season.
Follow the veteran scoring Australia’s game-winning goal against Tunisia in Qatar in the group stage.
The Socceroos shocked the world in the Middle East, defeating the Africans and Denmark to reach the round of 16, where they lost to eventual winners Argentina.
Duke, 31, has been in the books of Fagiano Okayama the past two seasons, where he has scored 11 goals in 49 appearances in J2 competition.
Machida Zelvia will be Duke’s third club in Japan, as the forward also spent three seasons at Shimizu S-Pulse between 2015 and 2018.
Socceroos World Cup hero Mitch Duke (pictured right) is on the move in Japan, signing with J2 squad Machida Zelvia
Duke scored the winning goal for the Socceroos with this header against Tunisia at the World Cup
Duke is eager to help Zelvia achieve promotion.
“I am very happy to have signed Machida for the 2023 season,” Duke said on the club’s website.
I am really looking forward to getting started, meeting everyone at the club, meeting my teammates and playing in front of the amazing fans.
“I know it’s going to be a great year, we have big ambitions and I hope my World Cup experience will help us get (promoted) to J1.”
“I can’t wait to get started, I love being back in Japan, it’s my second home.”
Zelvia kicks off her J2 campaign at home against Vegalta Sendai on February 18.
Australia’s Mitchell Duke (left) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi battle for the ball during the World Cup in Qatar
Duke and Messi were later called up for a post-game drug test at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, with the Australian striker initially unhappy.
After Lionel Messi and his teammates ended Australia’s World Cup dreams, a ‘furious’ Duke revealed he nabbed the post game from the superstar’s jersey.
Duke and Messi were called in for a post-game drug test at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, and the Japanese striker was initially furious.
“The last game, the way it ended as well, all I wanted was to spend time with the guys after the trip we had,” Duke said. Sports CODE.
So I was furious.
Messi doesn’t speak English, so Duke finally plucked up the courage to ask for his hero’s jersey through a translator.
After drinking seven bottles of water so he could provide a urine sample, Duke returned to the Australian locker room to find a keepsake he’ll always treasure on top of his bag: a priceless gift from the Argentine prop man, no less.
Duke later confirmed that Messi’s prized jersey will be a significant addition to his ‘man cave’ once he retires.