Melaka: Mustafa Amini insists Australia’s double header against Syria in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 continental play-offs will be the two biggest games of his career ahead of the first leg in Melaka on Thursday.
The Socceroos narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament in Russia after finishing third in Group B, which meant a play-off date with the third-placed team in Group A, Syria.
Ange Postecoglou’s side lost just once in the third round of qualifying – away to Japan – and will look for a positive result at Hang Jebat Stadium before the return fixture in Sydney five days later.
“It’s massive, these are the two biggest games of my career, and we’re two steps away from the World Cup,” said Denmark-based Amini, whose nation will face a second two-legged play-off against the fourth-ranked side from CONCACAF should they overcome the Syrians.
“There’s an Aussie never-say-die attitude. We’re confident we’ll be there and we’ll give everything to hopefully get a good result away and then come home, finish it off and come back next month [for the final play-off round].
“It’s a good opportunity for us as a nation, as a team and for me personally.”
Amini, 24, has been plying his trade in Denmark since 2015, first with Randers FC and later signing for AGF Aarhus in mid-2016.
The midfielder made his debut for the national team when he came off the bench in a 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates in March, before again being brought on as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Japan at the end of August.
Amini was then an unused substitute in the 2-1 Matchday 10 victory over Thailand in a game which Australia were looking for a high-scoring win in their ultimately unsuccessful attempt to finish above Saudi Arabia in Group B.
“If you saw the game, we hit the post many times,” added Amini. “We were all over them but that’s part of football.
“We look back and of course it was disappointing not to qualify directly for the World Cup, but we’re here now, we’ve got two games and hopefully we’ll get through to the next two games.”
Although not yet established as a regular in the Socceroos squad, Amini’s recent call-ups for crucial fixtures indicate Postecoglou believes in his potential.
And, while the likes of Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo, Tomas Rogic and Jackson Irvine may currently be ahead of Amini in the pecking order, the former Central Coast Mariners man insists he will be ready when the time comes.
“I’m very happy to be part of the Socceroos team, it’s an honour and a privilege for me,” said Amini.
“Even to be part of this squad with the midfield depth it’s got, I’m happy to be here and I’m always putting my hand up so if the time comes when Ange plays me, I’ll be ready. As long as we make the World Cup, I’ll be happy.
“If I get game time, I hope I can contribute but, if not, I’m still here and training hard and waiting for that chance.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com