Latest news with #AlessandroCircati
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Emotional Alessandro Circati in tears following superb return for the Socceroos
Alessandro Circati's triumphant Socceroos return was tinged with emotion, with the emerging star having feared he would be a lesser player following his knee reconstruction. In his first game for the Socceroos since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in September last year during a training session with his Italian club Parma, defender Circati showed maturity, poise and class beyond his 21 years with a superb display in Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday night. The victory – courtesy of a 90th-minute goal from left-back Aziz Behich – has put the Socceroos on the brink of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification with one match of their Group C AFC third-round qualifying campaign remaining, a clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday morning (AEST). The Saudis – 2-0 winners over Bahrain on Friday morning (AEST) – must score at least five goals in the game to have any hope of denying the Socceroos guaranteed World Cup qualification. With the top two from each of the AFC's three third-round qualifying groups to secure World Cup spots, Japan has already secured qualification from Group C, with the Samurai Blue – who have 20 points from nine matches – unable to be displaced from first place. The Socceroos are in second spot in Group C with 16 points from nine games and with a goal difference of plus eight, having scored 14 goals and conceded six. Saudi Arabia remains within striking distance of Australia with 13 points but has a goal difference of zero, having scored eight goals and conceded eight in its nine games. Should the Saudis beat the Socceroos in Jeddah they will draw level on points with Australia in the battle for second spot. However, the scoreline in the match would then determine which of the two nations would join Japan as automatic Group C qualifiers. If the Saudis prevent the Socceroos from scoring and find the back of the net at least five times, they would qualify ahead of Australia thanks to a superior goal difference. ALL ANGLES: Bend it like Behichâ'¢ï¸� ↩ï¸� Enjoy Aziz’s epic match winner against Japan from EVERY angle 🚀 #Socceroos — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 6, 2025 However, if the Socceroos can score, Saudi Arabia will need to score at least six goals to stop Australia qualifying. 'We're not exactly qualified, but the chances as 99 per cent,' Circati said. 'It's like a dream come true .., I couldn't be any happier.' Circati shed tears of joy, relief and gratitude as he reflected on 'seven hard months' of rehabilitation. 'When you have an injury like this, it's a bit of an unknown,' he said. 'You don't know how you return back. Some people feel amazing. Luckily I do. I feel better than before. Some people come back not the same.' Circati, who grew up in Perth after moving to the West Australian capital from Italy as a one-year-old, paid tribute to his family and friends, many of whom were in the crowd at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
Socceroos v Japan, FIFA World Cup qualifier live coverage and how to watch on TV
Australia coach Tony Popovic has implored his side to 'finish the job' ahead of the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifier against rivals Japan on Thursday in Perth. A drought-breaking win over the Asian powerhouse would all but assure Australia an automatic berth in next year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos have a three-point lead and a significant goal difference advantage over Saudi Arabia as they jockey for second place in Group C of Asian qualifying. But a loss or draw against already qualified Japan means Australia will be thrust into a critical clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10. A win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage if Saudi Arabia claim victory in their away game against Bahrain later on Thursday. 'We just need to finish the job off. We can take a major step tomorrow night by winning,' Popovic told reporters on Wednesday. 'There's a real excitement from the group, but there's a calmness and confidence in our ability.' Australia have not beaten Japan since 2009, but hopes are high against a considerably weakened side resting a slew of top players. Leeds United star Ao Tanaka, Reims forward Junya Ito and Hidemasa Morita from Sporting Lisbon are among the players missing for the Samurai Blue. In contrast, Australia will boast a near full-strength side and buoyed by the recent return of Parma defender Alessandro Circati from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. 'It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence in this group,' said Popovic, who has turned Australia's fortunes around since replacing Graham Arnold in September. 'At some point, Australia will beat Japan. We have a chance to do that tomorrow and we want to take that opportunity.' A febrile atmosphere is tipped with 50,000 fans expected to attend Optus Stadium despite stormy weather in Perth ahead of the game. 'We certainly are aware of what these games mean to us and mean to Australia,' Popovic said. 'I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner.' With an eighth straight World Cup appearance assured, Japan are using their trip to Australia and subsequent home game against Indonesia as an opportunity to trial younger players and build depth. Japan's 27-man squad includes eight uncapped players, but Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo provide plenty of class for the Asian nation eyeing a first World Cup triumph. 'The ultimate goal is to win the World Cup,' Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. 'So we really need to take each match and the time we prepare for matches seriously. 'We need to build the strongest team possible (for) the World Cup.'
News.com.au
04-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Alessandro Circati's disciplined recovery pays off with his availability for Australia's game against Japan
The chance to play for the Socceroos in his hometown in a game that could secure Australia qualification for next year's FIFA World Cup was all the motivation that emerging star Alessandro Circati needed to make a swift recovery from a serious knee injury. Circati ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a training session with his Italian top-flight club Parma in September last year. It seemed certain the young defender would not only miss the rest of the Serie A season, but also Australia's games this month against Japan and Saudi Arabia. National coach Tony Popovic certainly wasn't expecting him back for the current international window as knee reconstructions often sideline players for at least nine months. However, having set himself the target to be available for selection for Thursday night's clash with Japan at Optus Stadium in Perth – the city he moved to as a one-year-old with his family from Italy – nothing was going to stop Circati achieving his goal, even if it meant six hours of rehabilitation six days a week for several months. 'When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?',' he said. 'I said, 'there are two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. 'I'm lucky enough to be able to do that. I'm very privileged to be able to play such an important game at home at a beautiful stadium in a beautiful city.' Circati was back in Parma's match-day squad by April, and last month played full games in his team's final two matches of the season, which were crucial contests against eventual champions Napoli and third-placed Atalanta. 'I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than speed it up,' 21-year-old Circati said. 'It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before. 'I returned really well, stronger than what I was before. Over that (recovery) time, I really worked on myself as a person and as an athlete. 'I worked on areas where maybe I was weak or areas I had to improve.' Circati has attracted interest from powerhouses Napoli and Juventus, but he takes such transfer talk with a 'grain of salt'. Instead, he's focused on helping the Socceroos get the better of a Japan squad that includes his Parma teammate, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Quickfire chat with our new director of content Connor Metcalfe 😂🎬 🇦🇰 v 🇯🇵 - 5.6.25, 9pm AEST (7pm local) 🎟ï¸�: ðŸ'±ðŸ'»ðŸ'°: Live on 10, 10 Play, Paramount+ ðŸ'»: ABC Radio via the ABC Listen App #Socceroos #WAtheDreamState — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 4, 2025 'I've already given a few words back in Parma, telling him that we're going to score – it's just friendly competition between us,' Circati said. 'He's a great guy, he's a very humble guy, his personality is great, (and) he's had an amazing year. 'Moving into a new country isn't easy with a new language, but he's integrated perfectly. His mentality as a person is (at the) top.' A win over Japan, who have sent a weakened squad to Perth having already sealed qualification, would all but secure the Socceroos a World Cup berth thanks to their existing three-point advantage and vastly superior goal difference over Saudi Arabia. The top two nations from Group C in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers – currently Japan and Australia – are assured of World Cup spots. The Saudis, who meet Bahrain on Friday morning ahead of their date with the Socceroos next week in Jeddah, are in third place.
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us." Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us." Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
West Australian
04-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week. More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan. A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year. Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return. Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way. But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery. The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up. Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation. "I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday. "When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?' "I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'. "I'm lucky enough to be able to do that." The road to an international recall wasn't easy. "I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said. "I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years. "It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm. "It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before." Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification. Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing. Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer. "I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought. "It's replayed over and over again. "I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that. "The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify. "So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
