Holland ‘delighted’ by recall

Emerging Qantas Socceroo James Holland has expressed his delight at earning a national team recall ahead of the friendly against Lebanon.

Emerging Qantas Socceroo James Holland has expressed his delight at earning a national team recall ahead of the friendly against Lebanon.

A former Qantas Young Socceroo captain that led an Under-20 line up inclusive of capped senior internationals Ryan McGowan, Daniel Mullen, Mitch Nichols and Tommy Oar, Holland-s recent domestic form has been solid enough to warrant a shot at what would be his first national team appearance in over two years.

“I-m extremely delighted to be back, I-ve been working hard, so I-m happy to have been given the opportunity again,” Holland said.

“It-s important for us to get the three points against Jordan, Lebanon-s a good warm up match for us.

“Maybe the coach wants to see some players, but it-s important for us to pick up these three points and put some pressure on the teams that are above us (in the FIFA World Cup qualifying standings).”

Holland-s move from AZ Alkmaar to Austria-s Bundesliga late last season already looks to have paid handsome dividends in terms of game time and form.

Since arriving at capital club Austria Vienna - currently top of Austria-s 10-team top tier - Holland has become a cornerstone member of Die Veilchen-s line up.

In seven league matches this campaign, Austria Vienna have conceded just the one goal and have yet to be defeated, with Holland an ever present save for fifteen minutes of their season opener.

“Obviously it-s good to be winning, it-s good to be playing and also we-ve been keeping clean sheets, which is good - it-s fantastic to be on top of the table,” said Holland.

“I think I-ve been solid and every game I feel as though I-m growing in confidence and improving, which for me is important.

“Obviously we-re getting the results at the moment which makes it look even better, it is still early days, but it-s going well.”

The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).

Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.

Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.