What is Thomas Deng's greatest fear? What moment would he like to erase from his memory forever?
We asked the towering Urawa Red Diamonds defender is the latest Socceroos star to answer the probing questions in the latest instalment of Quickfire XI.
Deng also talked about his best and worst personal traits and revealed his defenders' distaste for scoring own goals.
Check out all that and more in our quick-fire chat with Deng below. Or, listen to the second Socceroos podcast with Deng in the player below!
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SOC: What do you consider your best personal trait?
Deng: “I can dance. [Watching] YouTube when I was young I was trying to imitate people. One of my favourite artists is Chris Brown and I was watching all of his videos and that.”
SOC: What do you consider your worst personal trait?
Deng: “I can be lazy at times. Very lazy. Sometimes I am like a sloth and be on the couch for hours with Netflix.”
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SOC: What is your greatest fear?
Deng: “Getting an injury – a career ending injury. [I’ve had] nothing serious so far but that would be the worse thing I could think of.”
SOC: What brings you the greatest joy?
Deng: “Being able to help my family as much as I can. Football has really helped me and changed my life and I am able to support my family.”
SOC: What is your most treasured possession?
Deng: “I’ve still got my first Victory jersey. I think when I was in the youth team I sat on the bench against Central Coast and I wore number 34. So I’ve still kept that shirt.”
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SOC: If you could go back to relive one football moment what would it be and why?
Deng: “The 2014 World Cup when Timmy [Cahill] hit that volley on his left foot. That’s a big memory and he’s been reposting it on his Instagram a few times as well. That is a good memory and something Aussies remember quite fondly as well.
SOC: What moment would you like to remove from your memory forever?
Deng: “I reckon scoring own goals. As a defender those are memories you want to erase. I’ve scored a few own goals – one of the worst ones was my first season back in Australia against Sydney FC.”
SOC: Can you talk us through that one?
“I think the ball came over my head. It came over and it hit my leg and I was just standing there and it rolled in to the goal. My team mates were like, ‘What the hell just happened?’”
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SOC: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Deng: “I’d love to be taller. It would be easier to win headers.”
SOC: What profession other than football would you like to try?
Deng: “When I was in Year 12, I was thinking of things to do and one of the things was personal trainer. I like keeping fit and healthy.”
SOC: At the end of your football career, what would you like people to say about you?
Deng: “To be honest, I don’t really think about that. I don’t really care what people say or write about me. As long as I am a good role model for my family and for my kids. That is the most important thing.”
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