Adelaide United FC goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic’s World Cup dream is one step closer, with the Reds’ captain named in the Socceroos 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminary squad.
Eugene Galekovic-s World Cup dream is one step closer, with the Reds- captain named in the Socceroos 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminary squad.
With Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou announcing a preliminary squad of 30 this morning, Galekovic is one of four goalkeepers selected along with Mathew Ryan, Mitch Langerak and former Red Mark Birighitti.
Despite not being a stranger to national team selection, which included being part of the 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa and the squad for the 2013 East Asian Cup in the Korea Republic, the 32 year old knows he still needs to work hard to earn that ticket to Brazil.
“I-ve got ten days to prove myself, where I will give everything I-ve got. There are four exceptional keepers, but only three spots, so I will fight it out and make sure I perform at training,” said Galekovic.
On his selection, the inspirational shot stopper also paid credit to Reds Head Coach Josep Gomabu and his Goalkeeper Coach Peter Blazincic, who has worked with Galekovic since he arrived in Adelaide in 2007.
“Josep (Gombau) has played a big part in getting me to this position. Since he has come in, he-s helped me with my game and the style in which I play as a keeper,” said Galekovic.
“The style that he-s (Josep Gombau) implemented is similar to the way Ange (Postecoglou) wants us to play, so the transition from club to country has been easier for me.
“Peter Blazincic has helped me a lot. He-s one of the top goalkeeping coaches in the country and has helped me qualify for my second World Cup squad. Credit needs to go to him as well.”
To date, Galekovic has made eight appearances and recorded six clean sheets for the Qantas Socceroos,
The Socceroos squad will start assembling in Gosford on Thursday (15 May) where they will undertake a two week pre-tournament Camp in Gosford and Sydney from May 15-28, as they begin preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Australia will face Chile, the Netherlands and Spain in the group stage.
Before departing for Brazil, the Socceroos will meet South Africa-s National team, Bafana Bafana, in a World Cup farewell match, presented by NAB, in Sydney on Monday 26 May 2014.
Socceroos v South Africa, presented by NAB
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park NSW
Kick off: 7.30pm (AEST)
Gates open: 5.30pm
The match will be broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.
Tickets available from www.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets
SOCCEROOS PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP
GOALKEEPERS
Mark BIRIGHITTI (Newcastle Jets FC, AUSTRALIA)
Eugene GALEKOVIC (Adelaide United FC, AUSTRALIA)
Mitchell LANGERAK (B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, GERMANY)
Mat RYAN (Club Brugge KV, BELGIUM)
DEFENDERS
Jason DAVIDSON (SC Heracles Almelo, NETHERLANDS)
Ivan FRANJIC (Brisbane Roar FC, AUSTRALIA)
Curtis GOOD (Newcastle United, ENGLAND)
Ryan McGOWAN (Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, CHINA)
Matthew SPIRANOVIC (Western Sydney Wanderers FC, AUSTRALIA)
Alex WILKINSON (Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, KOREA REPUBLIC)
Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA)
Bailey WRIGHT (Preston North End FC, ENGLAND)
MIDFIELDERS
Oliver BOZANIC (FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND)
Mark BRESCIANO (Al Gharafa, QATAR)
Joshua BRILLANTE (Newcastle Jets FC, AUSTRALIA)
James HOLLAND (FK Austria Vienna, AUSTRIA)
Mile JEDINAK (Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND)
Massimo LUONGO (Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND)
Matthew McKAY (Brisbane ROAR FC, AUSTRALIA)
Mark MILLIGAN (Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA)
Tommy OAR (FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS)
Tommy ROGIC (Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA)
Adam SAROTA (FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS)
James TROISI (Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA)
Dario VIDOSIC (FC Sion, SWITZERLAND)
FORWARDS
Tim CAHILL (New York Red Bulls, USA)
Ben HALLORAN (Fortuna Dusseldorf, GERMANY)
Josh KENNEDY (Nagoya Grampus 8, JAPAN)
Matthew LECKIE (FSV Frankfurt 1899, GERMANY)
Adam TAGGART (Newcastle Jets FC, AUSTRALIA)
