Despite being away from the Socceroos for the last couple of years, Mitch Langerak revealed he immediately felt right at home following his recent call-up.
Langerak had made the tough decision to retire from international football in May last year due to concerns of being away from his family for an extended period during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with COVID-19 restrictions easing across the globe, the 34-year-old did not think twice about a return when Graham Arnold made contact ahead of September’s friendly matches against New Zealand in Brisbane and Auckland.
“It was an easy decision to say ‘yes I’d love to come back and be involved again’,” he told Football Australia Media after training.
“I’ve said previously once you’re a Socceroo you always remain that way, particularly in your heart so for me it was a great honour, great privilege to receive the call and happy to be back and do all I can to push for selection.”
Despite his absence, Langerak admitted it was like “he never left” – a testament to the strong culture and camaraderie established in the squad.
“Honestly there’s so many familiar faces – it’s the Socceroos so it’s almost like I never left,” he said.
“You see all the guys and you might not see somebody for six months or two years, but you have that connection, and you know each other and it’s always great to come back in, it’s like I never left.
“… It was brilliant to get back and seeing the boys and see a lot of friendly faces the staff, it’s fantastic.
“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in over the next few days and seeing the rest of the boys once they arrive in camp.”
The shot-stopper, who is in career best form in Japan with Nagoya Grampus, said he was watching the epic clash against Peru in June reminded him of how he used to watch his heroes play as a youngster.
“When you’re away you watch the game differently and it was purely as a supporter,” he continued.
“And you set your alarm clock like I used to do as a little kid and get up and watch the boys and obviously that Peru game was unbelievable.
“Watching the boys was different but obviously with the same passion like every Socceroos fan.”
Langerak’s last of his eight caps for his country occurred in 2017 and the goalkeeper is determined to put his best foot forward to make the final squad bound for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ .