Latest news with #Circati
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Socceroos duo Alessandro Circati and Milos Degenek relive Aziz Behich's vital, late goal against Japan
Alessandro Circati was in the penalty box when Aziz Behich swivelled and shot; Milos Degenek was up the other end of the field. While the two Socceroos defenders were surprisingly poles apart in their positioning and proximity to Behich's 90th-minute stunner, both did the exact same thing: made a beeline for their teammate. Behich's winner to see off Japan 1-0 at Optus Stadium on Thursday night and put Australia on the verge of a sixth World Cup in a row will go down in Socceroos folklore. Circati and Degenek valiantly repelled wave after wave of attack up the other end to help the Socceroos capture the most unlikely of wins. They would have been feted as heroes had Australia held on for a draw against Japan — but of course, they would both take Behich's late dramatic goal, with World Cup qualification at stake, any day of the week. 'When you're kid and you're writing a story or you're drawing a picture, this is the sort of things that you dream a picture of,' Circati said. 'To be able to live it today, because it happened today, and to be able to happen to me — maybe it happens to other people, but it doesn't happen to everyone, so I'm extremely grateful.' From his vantage point in defence, Degenek admitted he had no idea whether Behich's shot was going in. 'I was hoping. I was praying like the other 50,000 people (in the stadium),' he said. 'Just that relief, once that ball hit, that 70, sprint to that corner flag, was just the biggest relief. 'Especially in a game of this stature, and then this magnitude, it has been fantastic.' Circati, the young Perth product who completed a near-miraculous sub-seven month recovery from a torn ACL to take the field in his hometown, said the moments after Behich's net-burster were a blur. 'It all happened so fast. I actually thought he was going to take a touch, because his body wasn't facing the best way,' he said. 'He's hit it first time and as I've seen, it came off so cleanly. It was either going going underneath the top corner, or was going into into the fifth row of the grandstand. 'I just remember chasing Aziz and then I think everyone from the bench ran over. There was a bit of toes stepped on, I got my head hit. But it's all part of it. I'll live that over and over again to have that feeling.' Japan had 69 per cent of the possession, 13 shots to just six and more accurate passes in Australia's half (336) than the Socceroos had all match (215). For Degenek, it was a source of pride they were still able to prevail with the stats stacked against them. 'This game means more to me, and I'm happier that we won this game than I was in China, where we controlled the game, where we won 2-0 where we had the ball,' he said. 'This game means more to me, and I feel more joy out of winning a game like this, than that game, because this one's a lot harder for us defenders.' 'They had one really good chance, where (Takefusa) Kubo chopped and shot. Apart from that, I don't think they had many chances inside the box. 'They're probably considered in the top 20 teams in the world, and to play that good against them is fantastic.'
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Socceroos defensive duo laud Behich for ‘dream' goal
Alessandro Circati was in the penalty box when Aziz Behich swivelled and shot; Milos Degenek was up the other end of the field. While the two Socceroos defenders were surprisingly poles apart in their positioning and proximity to Behich's 90th-minute stunner, both did the exact same thing: made a beeline for their teammate. Behich's winner to see off Japan 1-0 at Optus Stadium on Thursday night and put Australia on the verge of a sixth World Cup in a row will go down in Socceroos folklore. Circati and Degenek valiantly repelled wave after wave of attack up the other end to help the Socceroos capture the most unlikely of wins. They would have been feted as heroes had Australia held on for a draw against Japan — but of course, they would both take Behich's late dramatic goal, with World Cup qualification at stake, any day of the week. 'When you're kid and you're writing a story or you're drawing a picture, this is the sort of things that you dream a picture of,' Circati said. 'To be able to live it today, because it happened today, and to be able to happen to me — maybe it happens to other people, but it doesn't happen to everyone, so I'm extremely grateful.' From his vantage point in defence, Degenek admitted he had no idea whether Behich's shot was going in. 'I was hoping. I was praying like the other 50,000 people (in the stadium),' he said. 'Just that relief, once that ball hit, that 70, sprint to that corner flag, was just the biggest relief. 'Especially in a game of this stature, and then this magnitude, it has been fantastic.' Jason Geria & Alessandro Circati of the Socceroos celebrate. Credit: Janelle St Pierre / Getty Images Circati, the young Perth product who completed a near-miraculous sub-seven month recovery from a torn ACL to take the field in his hometown, said the moments after Behich's net-burster were a blur. 'It all happened so fast. I actually thought he was going to take a touch, because his body wasn't facing the best way,' he said. 'He's hit it first time and as I've seen, it came off so cleanly. It was either going going underneath the top corner, or was going into into the fifth row of the grandstand. 'I just remember chasing Aziz and then I think everyone from the bench ran over. There was a bit of toes stepped on, I got my head hit. But it's all part of it. I'll live that over and over again to have that feeling.' Japan had 69 per cent of the possession, 13 shots to just six and more accurate passes in Australia's half (336) than the Socceroos had all match (215). Milos Degenek & Mat Ryan celebrate. Credit: Janelle St Pierre / Getty Images For Degenek, it was a source of pride they were still able to prevail with the stats stacked against them. 'This game means more to me, and I'm happier that we won this game than I was in China, where we controlled the game, where we won 2-0 where we had the ball,' he said. 'This game means more to me, and I feel more joy out of winning a game like this, than that game, because this one's a lot harder for us defenders.' 'They had one really good chance, where (Takefusa) Kubo chopped and shot. Apart from that, I don't think they had many chances inside the box. 'They're probably considered in the top 20 teams in the world, and to play that good against them is fantastic.'
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
- General
- West Australian
Socceroos Alessandro Circati and Adam Taggart dreaming of World Cup qualification in hometown of Perth
When Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati began rehabilitation to repair his torn ACL last October, he was asked what his goals for recovery were. The WA-raised centre-back had a very specific date in mind: June 5, and a game against Japan in his hometown. 'They asked me, when you first get your surgery, first start your rehab, 'what's your goal? What are you trying to accomplish?'' Circati said. 'I said there was a World Cup qualifier in Perth in June. My goal was to be able to go there.' After a rapid six-and-a-half month recovery, the 21-year-old has ticked that box ahead of the Socceroos' Thursday night blockbuster against Japan at Optus Stadium. Circati, along with fellow Sandgropers Adam Taggart and Cameron Burgess, will be in contention to start against Japan. The feeling between Circati and Taggart, knowing a win would all but propel Australia to a sixth successive World Cup, is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch qualification in Perth. 'That's the cream of the crop, that's the dream,' Circati said. 'It's things you don't even dream of because they're so rare. But now I've got the opportunity, and I'm going to try take it in two hands.' 'It's almost surreal to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, not only for myself personally, but for the city and all the people I care about,' Perth Glory skipper Taggart said. 'Everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty and it's replayed over and over. I was trying to explain to my mum the other day, the game is a similar situation to that. 'To be able to have the chance to create something special, like the Aloisi penalty or the Josh Kennedy header (in 2013), to have the chance to do it here in Perth is massive and really special.' Circati even being involved in camp is something of a surprise after he tore his ACL at the end of September during training with Serie A club side Parma. Stunningly, he was back on the bench less than seven months later and played a full 90 minutes in their final two games of the year, including a 0-0 draw with eventual champions Napoli. Circati said he began rehabilitation within three days of his operation and it was full systems go from there. 'I had surgery, went into rehab, was there for five-and-a-half months. After five-and-a-half months, I was sent back to the club and slowly started to train with the team, doing minimal things at the start, slowly and gradually moving into a full session,' he said. '(At) about six-and-a-half months, I was training fully and started on the bench. 'I was doing rehab six hours a day, only had Sunday off, so it was was full on. I didn't have much free time, I don't think I had a single day off other than the break for Christmas and New Year. 'It was 9-12 in the morning, go home, have lunch, be back at 2pm and go to 5, 5.30pm. 'When I play, I forget about my knee completely. It's not an issue for me.' The last time Circati played in Perth, he was playing for Glory's NPL team; Glory's A-League Men's skipper Taggart plays in Perth every other week, but his only national team appearance in his hometown came last year against Palestine at HBF Park. Taggart said the Palestine game was one of the most memorable of his career, but a step towards World Cup qualification and a goal against Japan would probably top it. 'Knowing what's on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn't something that comes around too often, is something that obviously we all want to make the most of,' he said. 'I'm really proud there's a few boys representing Perth, to play in the city and represent the people coming to watch the game tomorrow. It's massive for the city.'
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- General
- Perth Now
WA's Socceroos chase dream World Cup qualification in Perth
When Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati began rehabilitation to repair his torn ACL last October, he was asked what his goals for recovery were. The WA-raised centre-back had a very specific date in mind: June 5, and a game against Japan in his hometown. 'They asked me, when you first get your surgery, first start your rehab, 'what's your goal? What are you trying to accomplish?'' Circati said. 'I said there was a World Cup qualifier in Perth in June. My goal was to be able to go there.' After a rapid six-and-a-half month recovery, the 21-year-old has ticked that box ahead of the Socceroos' Thursday night blockbuster against Japan at Optus Stadium. Circati, along with fellow Sandgropers Adam Taggart and Cameron Burgess, will be in contention to start against Japan. The feeling between Circati and Taggart, knowing a win would all but propel Australia to a sixth successive World Cup, is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch qualification in Perth. 'That's the cream of the crop, that's the dream,' Circati said. 'It's things you don't even dream of because they're so rare. But now I've got the opportunity, and I'm going to try take it in two hands.' 'It's almost surreal to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, not only for myself personally, but for the city and all the people I care about,' Perth Glory skipper Taggart said. 'Everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty and it's replayed over and over. I was trying to explain to my mum the other day, the game is a similar situation to that. 'To be able to have the chance to create something special, like the Aloisi penalty or the Josh Kennedy header (in 2013), to have the chance to do it here in Perth is massive and really special.' Circati, Burgess and Taggart are all WA products. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Circati even being involved in camp is something of a surprise after he tore his ACL at the end of September during training with Serie A club side Parma. Stunningly, he was back on the bench less than seven months later and played a full 90 minutes in their final two games of the year, including a 0-0 draw with eventual champions Napoli. Circati said he began rehabilitation within three days of his operation and it was full systems go from there. 'I had surgery, went into rehab, was there for five-and-a-half months. After five-and-a-half months, I was sent back to the club and slowly started to train with the team, doing minimal things at the start, slowly and gradually moving into a full session,' he said. '(At) about six-and-a-half months, I was training fully and started on the bench. Alessandro Circati takes a selfie for a supporter. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images 'I was doing rehab six hours a day, only had Sunday off, so it was was full on. I didn't have much free time, I don't think I had a single day off other than the break for Christmas and New Year. 'It was 9-12 in the morning, go home, have lunch, be back at 2pm and go to 5, 5.30pm. 'When I play, I forget about my knee completely. It's not an issue for me.' The last time Circati played in Perth, he was playing for Glory's NPL team; Glory's A-League Men's skipper Taggart plays in Perth every other week, but his only national team appearance in his hometown came last year against Palestine at HBF Park. Adam Taggart in Socceroos training session at HBF Park on June 2. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Taggart said the Palestine game was one of the most memorable of his career, but a step towards World Cup qualification and a goal against Japan would probably top it. 'Knowing what's on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn't something that comes around too often, is something that obviously we all want to make the most of,' he said. 'I'm really proud there's a few boys representing Perth, to play in the city and represent the people coming to watch the game tomorrow. It's massive for the city.'
