Having impressed at youth level with the Olyroos, in-form Melbourne Victory striker Nick D’Agostino is relishing his call-up with the Green and Gold at senior level.
D’Agostino is enjoying a strong season in the A-League Men’s with seven goals in 14 games, as well as two goals in an AFC Champions League playoff against Japanese heavyweights Vissel Kobe last week.
The 24-year-old is now itching for a Socceroos debut after playing under Graham Arnold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“It's a massive privilege for me, my family and everyone that's helped me get to this point,” D’Agostino told Socceroos Insider.
You dream of these moments as a young kid playing football, you want to grow up and play for the country and now I finally have the chance to try and get myself to do that.
“I'm just looking forward to it and hoping to learn as much as possible.”
It’s been a rapid rise for D’Agostino since his four seasons between 2015 and 2019 at Brisbane Roar, where he scored three goals in 42 appearances in all competitions.
With the bit between his teeth and an eagerness to impress on the world stage, D’Agostino is ready to show Australia just how far he has come.
“The main thing I put it down to is just hard work,” he said.
“You’ve got to come every day prepared to train, to want to work your hardest and want to improve to be the best.
I think this season especially I’ve wanted to do that and I’ve kept my body and my mind right so it's put me in good stead.
“Every striker needs to have confidence in their game and belief to go out there and put the ball in the back of the net.
“I think with Poppa, he has instilled that in me a club level and Arnie's always done that with me in the national teams, especially in the Olyroos.
“He's always brought me into camp and just pounded into me to believe in myself to go out there and do a job for the country.
"When someone believes in you that much, you can't really have any excuses you have to go out there and perform.”
While it is D’Agostino’s first Socceroos camp, he is no stranger to many of the squad members.
He is joined by fellow youngsters Marco Tilio, Joel King, Nathaniel Atkinson, Denis Genreau, Connor Metcalfe and Kye Rowles, who were members of the Olyroos’ squad at last year’s Olympic Games.
Fellow Melbourne Victory attacker Ben Folami will also come in for his debut camp.
“I’m just so happy for Benny and his family because he's been playing very well this season,” D’Agostino said.
“So he’s another friendly face and along with Metcalf, Tilio and Kye Rowles, there's a lot of faces that I know here already.
“Especially with the staff, I know a lot and as well from the Olympics and all the other Olyroos games previously so I'm feeling comfortable feeling and at home. I just can't wait to get started.
Once we step onto that pitch, it's all business. Everyone is professional athletes and we've got to come together as quickly as possible and win this game.
“That's what we're focused on. We're focused on getting the three points and that's all we're concentrating on.”
Matchday 9: Australia v Japan
Date: Thursday, 24 March 2022
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Tickets: Tickets available from Ticketek
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play