Joe Gauci and family 'lost for words' following distinguished debut

It’s the 85th minute of the Subway Socceroos’ second and final match against Ecuador, and goalkeeper Joe Gauci is making his first international appearance. 

He’s made eight saves, including two crucial reflex stops to prevent Ecuador from finding a goal.

He’s shown great handling, clever game awareness and strong shot-stopping, but most impressively, he’s exuded a sense of calm control present in the highest calibre of international goalkeeper. 

Despite being his first appearance for his nation - an outstanding achievement for a goalkeeper just 22 years of age - he looks at home.

And finally, with five minutes and additional time left to play, Gauci takes it in.

His moment has arrived. 

He’s Socceroo cap #631. 

The evening prior, he’d called his parents, who had booked tickets in hope of simply seeing him warming up and donning the famous Green and Gold. 

“We had already booked to come”, said Gauci’s mum.

“We were quite happy to watch him in the uniform, warming up and sitting on the bench tonight. 

“But he Facetimed us last night and said he had been told by the coach (Arnie) that he would be debuting this evening.”

The major achievement for the Adelaide United youngster was a reward for the culmination of effort put in since his teenage years.

“For a number of years as a teenage boy when his friends were out socialising and having a good time, he would be at home," Gauci's dad revealed.

“He’d eat well, he would rest well and do extra training outside of club training.

“So he’s always been that sort of focused guy and I think anyone that gets to know Joe, especially in the professional environment, would say that about him.”

Gauci has certainly enjoyed the ultra-professional and welcoming environment that has been the Socceroos camp.

Within the side, he’s been able to work with role model Maty Ryan and penalty-saving hero Andrew Redmayne, where he’s continued to learn and develop.

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“Maty is someone I’ve looked up to since I was 11, 12 years old.

“He’s done what all young Australian goalkeepers aspire to do.

“As the week has gone on we’ve been able to have more conversations and I’ve been able to pick his brain a little bit.

“Redders as well has been helping me all week - really coaching and supporting me.” 

While the nerves didn't show, Gauci said he was feeling the butterflies before the match, but settled in well. 

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous," Gauci said.

"I think as the day went along the nerves built a little bit but once I got the warm-up out of the way and got out there I just enjoyed the experience of walking out for the national team and soaked in the atmosphere.

"Once the whistle went it sort of just went like a normal game but a lot quicker."

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It was a normal game in a normal debut venue for Gauci, who also made his first A-League Men appearance, for Adelaide United, at Marvel Stadium two years prior. 

“That was sort of the first thing I thought of when Arnie told me yesterday I was playing.

"I made my Adelaide debut there and my parents and girlfriend and brother were able to come across from Adelaide so to have them all here again in the same stadium feels a little bit like a movie I suppose.”

Despite making his first Socceroos start at such a young age, Gauci has kept his feet on the ground, thanking the coaching staff for having the faith in him to allow him to gain his maiden Australia cap.

With the final whistle sounded, Gauci had some more time to reflect on his first appearance, alongside that 85th-minute epiphany of just how far he’s come in his young, movie-like career. 

“I’m grateful for the coaches that have brought me in and shown enough confidence tonight.

“I’m lost for words.

“It’s a really, really proud moment for myself and I’ve achieved one of my dreams.”

In the words of Gauci himself, dreams sometimes do really come true.