Matthew Spiranovic is making an adjustment to life in the Middle East with new club Al Arabi and is determined to showcase his newfound regional nous in green and gold in the coming weeks.
Matthew Spiranovic is making an adjustment to life in the Middle East with new club Al Arabi and is determined to showcase his newfound regional nous in green and gold in the coming weeks.
Spiranovic was an absentee against Scotland last month, having last played for the Qantas Socceroos away to Denmark in June.
On the back of seven Qantas Socceroo appearances in 2011, Spiranovic-s progression to becoming a national team regular was a seeming formality before the 24-year-old fell out of favour with then club side Urawa Reds of Japan.
With his domestic matters now sorted, Spiranovic has again put his hand up for Qantas Socceroo selection and is determined to contribute against Lebanon and Jordan in the coming weeks.
“We have two important games, obviously Lebanon is preparation for the qualifier against Jordan and we want to improve on the last game against Scotland,” Spiranovic said.
“We-ll work on the things the coach wants us to improve on, it-s good to be in these conditions to prepare us for the qualifer.
“Playing against Oman last month will put is in good stead in terms of knowing what we have to do to prepare for the game.
“(In the Middle East) you have a lot of challenges off the field, the climate doesn-t make life easy for football, but a lot of the players have experience now, in these countries, so it puts us in a good position.”
Spiranovic followed the lead of Qantas Socceroo teammates Mark Bresciano and Sasa Ognenovski to Qatar when linking with Doha-based Al-Arabi from the J.League in early July.
Al-Arabi, who finished a disappointing ninth from a field of twelve the last Qatari Stars League season, will begin their new campaign away to AFC Champions League holders Al-Sadd on 15 September.
Spiranovic is expected to feature prominently under French journeyman coach Pierre Lechantre, at a club that was briefly home to Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic, Argentinean icon Gabriel Batistuta and German legend Stefen Effenberg, amongst others.
“So far so good, I-ve really enjoyed the move - a new experience, a new country, fresh start, so I-m looking forward to the season,” Spiranovic said.
“Speaking to Lucas, who played last season in the Middle East, it-ll be very much similar to Dubai.
“It-s great having the other Aussies (Mark Bresciano and Sasa Ognenovski) there in Doha, we-re already catching up for lunches and BBQ-s so it-s nice to have that company.”
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.