Ahead of a possible second appearance for the Socceroos on Thursday evening against Japan, Marco Tilio is loving the opportunity to be back in national team camp.
At just 20 years of age, Marco Tilio is one of Australia's brightest prospects and the creative attacking midfielder has the chance to make his second appearance for Australia this Thursday evening as Australia takes on Japan at Stadium Australia, Sydney.
Firstly though, we need to rewind to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where a 19-year-old Australian came off the bench to sink one of football's biggest countries in one of the most famous ever victories for the Olyroos.
After a breakout season at Melbourne City under the watchful eye of Patrick Kisnorbo, the then 19-year-old was named in Graham Arnold's Olympic squad, and on the opening matchday against Argentina, Tilio was brought off the bench and made an immediate impact.
In what was practically his first touch of the game, the attacking midfielder curled his shot right into the back of the Argentinian net to provide Australia with a famous Olympic victory.
Speaking to Socceroos.com.au, the Sydney-born Starlet wants the Sydney crowd to get behind the Australians as the 12th man on Thursday evening.
"We are expecting a big support from the Australian public for the team," he said.
"We are very excited for this game and are looking forward to it, we are expecting everyone to get behind us as the 12th man on Thursday."
Knowing that many special moments have taken place at Stadium Australia over past years such as John Aloisi's penalty against Uruguay which sent Australia to the 2006 World Cup or Mile Jedinak's 3-goal haul over Honduras in 2017 which also sent the Socceroos to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
We are going out there to get the job done and get the win," said Tilio.
"With the fans behind us and the history that we have had with this Stadium there can only be good things ahead.
Touching on the faces within the Socceroos camp such as Bruno Fornaroli, Gianni Stenness and Nathaniel Atkinson, the Melbourne City attacking-midfielder was excited to see what they could offer in upcoming games against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
"I think it just freshens up the team with such young boys," he explained.
"There's so much confidence and energy coming through the group with us young boys and we are hoping to be able to deliver on Thursday.
After making his debut against Vietnam following another impressive start to his campaign with reigning A-League Men champions, Melbourne City Tilio discussed just how proud he was to wear the Green and Gold for the first time.
"I guess just knowing that every time you go out there when you are wearing that Australian jersey, you wear it with pride," he concluded.
"For me, if I get to go out there on Thursday, I will go out there and bring energy and try to bring my game to the table for the team."
Matchday 9: Australia v Japan
Date: Thursday, 24 March 2022
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia
Kick-off: 8:10pm AEDT
