Wanderer Josh Risdon says he’s ready to make a difference ahead of the Socceroos’ crunch World Cup Qualifier against Syria on Thursday.
Intense preparation for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season has seen the defender feature in a number of pre-season matches which Risdon says has helped take his fitness to the next level.
“I am in great physical condition and I think it’s the best I’ve been in at this stage of the pre-season,” said Risdon.
“The Wanderers have had a very physical pre-season and we have played in 15 or so matches and a few Westfield FFA Cup matches that have gone into extra time.
“So we’ve been getting those extra minutes in and I’m feeling really good.”
Risdon’s last international cap was in Australia’s 2-1 lost to England last year and the Perth local is determined to now make himself a permanent fixture in the national team.
“Being involved here is what you want as a player.
“I think I let myself down last camp and didn’t have the best season last year, but I’ve tried to rectify that and a goal of mine has been to get back into the Socceroos squad.
“This pre-season I’ve done that and being selected in pre-season has been a bit of a shock.”
Australia’s qualification route to the World Cup is less than ideal, having to now play in the qualifier playoffs against Syria after Saudi Arabia’s shock defeat of Japan.
Syria has yet to qualify for a World Cup making the match more important than ever.
“I think they will be playing for their lives,” said Risdon.
“They will be very passionate and I think they will be throwing everything at us.
“We’ll be looking for a good result this away leg and will be taking it back home.”
The winner of the Socceroos and Syria clashes will go on to face the fourth-ranked CONCACAF team, with the first leg of that match to be played in North America.
