Ceccoli Keen To Make Most Of Last Opportunity

It has been over seven years between international call-ups for Sydney FC defender Alvin Ceccoli and he intends to make the most of this opportunity in order to live a World Cup dream.

It has been over seven years between international call-ups for Sydney FC defender Alvin Ceccoli and he intends to make the most of this opportunity in order to live a World Cup dream.

Ceccoli, along with Sydney FC team mate David Carney, were part of a group of eight players from the Hyundai A-League to get selected in the Socceroos squad for the opening match of the 2007 Asian Cup qualifiers against Bahrain on February 22.

“Since I got the phone call on Wednesday evening, I have said to myself that I am going to have a real go at this,” said Ceccoli. “It-s going to be my only opportunity and possibly my last, so there is no two ways about it, I am really focussed.

Ceccoli has been outstanding at left full back in Sydney FC-s drive to the Hyundai A-League finals and is thrilled to be back in the national team fold after playing in the ill-fated Confederations Cup campaign of 1998.

The 31-year-old could be forgiven for thinking that his days in a Socceroo shirt were long gone, but he never lost faith in his ability to one day again wear the green and gold of Australia.

“Every year you set goals for yourself and for the last few years it (playing for Australia) has been a goal of mine. For whatever reason I haven-t been selected, whether it be form or different decisions by the national coach.

“This year I set that as a task, to at least have a go at it, and thankfully it-s paid off.

“It-s a good memory of seven years ago; it was a memorable occasion for me and obviously a highlight, because it was my first cap.”

“This is cream on the cake so to speak, because obviously we are in the middle of a World Cup campaign and it has been a little while since we qualified for the World Cup. Now I am in the reckoning for that and I have just got to put my hand up and perform.”

The former Wollongong Wolves Championship winner believes he is a good example of a locally-based product that can achieve success and international honours.

“Funnily enough I think I am a very good example, because in the old NSL a lot of good players were never really recognised I thought, or never really given a go. Everyone was of the opinion that the old NSL was not of a good standard.

“However funnily enough, I always thought that those players that did get called up all played really well.

“But we have gone past and are now in a new chapter with the Hyundai A-League and football in Australia. It-s a good indication for everyone and I think all players could use myself as an example. ,

”I think everyone has something to aspire to even more so now, because obviously Graham (Arnold) and Guus (Hiddink) have said that everyone is in the reckoning to get a call up as long as they perform and that-s the biggest carrot that-s dangling in front of everyone.

“I have been selected now and if I get the opportunity to play I have just got to show what I can do. I am in the group of about 40 players, which is an achievement in itself, and obviously if players are injured or can-t get away from their team that creates opportunities for other players and this is my chance now to press my claims for the World Cup.”