Bailey Wright: I never take wearing the Socceroos' shirt for granted
Socceroos defender Bailey Wright had a night to remember in Australia’s friendly win over Jodan after he scored his second international goal in his first appearance for over two years.
Australia warmed up for their critical World Cup knockout game against the United Arab Emirates next week with a 2-1 win over Jordan in a friendly match in Doha.
Wright and Awer Mabil found the back of the net for Australia after a thunderbolt by Musa Al-Taamari had fired Jordan into an early lead at the Al-Janoub Stadium.
Wright met Craig Goodwin’s whipped free-kick at the back post to score his first international goal since he scored in a friendly win over Saudi Arabia in late 2014.
After securing Sunderland’s promotion to the English Championship, the goal coupled with his first international appearance since October 2019 caps off a fantastic month for the 29-year-old.
While Wright would have preferred to keep a clean sheet, he explained why scoring for your country is always a special feeling.
“Goody’s got great delivery,” Wright told Network Ten post-game.
“When you know you’ve got good delivery, it’s easy to make your runs and attack the ball.
It’s great to score but I would have been more pleased with winning and keeping a clean sheet. As a defender, that’s what you sort of pride yourself on but chipping in with goals is always nice and I could have almost had two.”
Wright was a mainstay in the heart of Sunderland’s defence for the majority of the League One season, even donning the captain's armband on numerous occasions.
He is doing his best to showcase those leadership qualities and supporting the squad in Qatar.
“In the group, we've got different elements and different types of leaders,” Wright said.
I’m quite vocal and quite demanding, sometimes a bit of a pain and a nuisance because you’re always hearing me.
“As you can tell, I’ve lost my voice a little bit and that’s the way I play the game. It’s how I feel I get the best of myself and try to get the best of those around me.”
Having made his national team debut in 2014, Wright is no stranger to play-offs with the Socceroos.
The Melbourne-born defender played 90 minutes in both legs of the Socceroos' 2018 Fifa World Cup play-offs against Honduras. However, since then, Wright has been in and out of national team camps.
“To play for Australia and wear this shirt, I never take it for granted,” Wright explained.
For me, it was a three year spell where I’ve not really had the opportunity to represent my country and it means a lot.
“I’ve always been itching and working hard to try and get another opportunity. It was nice to be back out there and get some more minutes.”
The Socceroos FIFA World-Cup Play-off match will be broadcast live and free on Australia's 'Home of Football,' Network Ten.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Play-Off)
Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2022
Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kick-off: 4:00AM AEST
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on Paramount+ and 10 Play