New ‘Roo focusing on A-League task
Sydney FC star Anthony Caceres says it will be a case of “business as usual” on Sunday as he shelves the delight of his long-awaited Socceroos recognition to focus on helping the Sky Blues beat Macarthur FC.
At 32, Caceres is on the verge of securing his first Socceroos cap after being named in Australia’s 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
‘It hasn’t happened in the past, but it’s here now, the opportunity, and that’s all that matters to me,” Caceres said.
“We (Sydney) have had a lot of success as a team, and that has allowed me as an individual to shine and keep developing my game. I still feel that I’m adding new things.
“Now that I’ve been given the chance, I want to make full use of it.”
However, before heading into Socceroos camp, Caceres is targeting three points at Allianz Stadium on Sunday with a Sky Blues team intent on bouncing back from Thursday’s 1-0 AFC Champions League Two loss to Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
“Papi made Socceroos” 🥹💚💛
This could very well be the greatest ever @Socceroos announcement story from Anthony Caceres 😊
In that moment, everything had changed for him, for his daughter Sienna, it was business as usual inside the cubby house 🏠😆
This is what it’s all… pic.twitter.com/ff6R0M5vxh— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) November 8, 2024
“(It’s) business as usual. The expectation is to always perform,” he said.
“The Socceroos call comes as a consequence of performances here at Sydney, so I aim to change nothing in that respect,
“It’s full on 100 per cent commitment as always, and we’ll look to get the three points.”
Attempting to nullify the midfield threat of Caceres will be Macarthur’s former Sydney FC captain Luke Brattan.
“We’re top mates, we still speak often, and he’s a player I have huge respect and admiration for,” Caceres said of his ex-teammate.
“It’s going to strange seeming him at (Allianz) Stadium in another shirt, but once you’re on the pitch, it’s game time.”
Brattan will have a point to prove on Sunday after being dropped from the Socceroos squad following his national team debut last month in Australia’s 1-1 draw with Japan.
“I don’t think I’ve been good enough the last couple of weeks,” Brattan admitted.
“The boys that have been called up have been in great form. I know I need to be better and perform better.
“I want to get back in there and play a lot more, and it starts on the weekend.”
