Silvera reacts to “crazy” experience on debut against Mexico

Euan James 1694323678,1694334342

Fresh from becoming cap number 634, Sammy Silvera reflected on his first appearance for the Subway Socceroos after the match against Mexico on Sunday. 

Silvera was injected into the match in the 74th minute by Graham Arnold as the Socceroos went on to draw 2-2 with Mexico on Sunday. 

The emotions were quite raw as he began to process what he had just accomplished in front of a hostile Mexican-heavy crowd.

“It's crazy, to be honest,” Silvera said post-match. 

“You see how passionate these these fans out here. You can't hear yourself but it just shows like it's a great experience for me.

 

“It’s a tough team that we came up against but we showed what we can do. We scored goals and we defended well. It was just unlucky that the result was 2-2.”

After a promising start to life at his new club Middlesbrough, Silvera’s Socceroos debut caps off a fantastic few months for the 22-year-old. 

The winger has scored one goal and provided two assists in six appearances for Boro since joining from Central Coast Mariners during the offseason. 

Speaking after his Socceroos debut, Silvera revealed that Arnold wanted him to play the way he had been for his club side. 

“He (Arnold) told me to go out and express myself,” Silvera said. 

“But I had to do my defensive part and that's all I was doing because it was that time of the game where we had to dig deep. And we did that.

“It was unlucky with the goal but I think we showed some good qualities.”

While the Socceroos were on track for a victory, Mexico levelled the scores in the 84th minute with a ball over the top. 

But despite surrendering a two-goal lead to draw against in Dallas, Silvera believes there are many positives for the side to take moving forward. 

“There are a lot of positives,” he said. 

“Mexico are a top team and to come into this stadium with a packed crowd full of Mexicans, it's crazy. 

“It's very difficult but we showed our true colours and we did really well. We're gonna push push on.”