Adelaide United captain Isaias eyes maiden Socceroos call-up after failed Asian Cup defence

Watching Australia’s failed Asian Cup defence has given Adelaide United captain Isaias more motivation to fulfil his ambition of pulling on the green and gold.

Isaias’ outstanding form for Adelaide United has pushed his case for a maiden Socceroos call-up. Picture: James Elsby/Getty Images

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Watching Australia’s Asian Cup campaign has given Isaias more motivation to pull on the green and gold.

The Adelaide United captain was a keen onlooker as the Socceroos made the last eight of the continental tournament, before bowing out at the hands of host UAE last week.

Spanish-born Isaias, who became an Australian citizen this month, said Graham Arnold’s side was unfortunate to fall short in its title defence.

But he hoped his outstanding club form would put him in the frame for an international call-up when World Cup qualifying kicked off in September.

“It’s something that is always in the back of my mind,” said Isaias, of his national team hopes.

“It’s always nice to have big goals, but I know it’s very difficult because in my position the Socceroos have a lot of good players.

“I was a little bit disappointed, because I would like the Socceroos to go further (in the Asian Cup).

“But right now I’m focusing on Adelaide United.

“The most important thing is to help your club perform well and from there you will see what happens next.

“Of course I will fight and will give my best to get my (Socceroos) chance.”

Australia’s stuttering performance in the Middle East coincided with Isaias’ best displays of the A-League campaign.

The holding midfielder was inspirational as he led Adelaide to just one loss in eight matches during a hectic run of post-Christmas fixtures.

Isaias’ hot streak culminated in a clever finish for the Reds’ equaliser in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Central Coast, which pushed them to within one point of the top four.

“For me it’s a surprise,” said Isaias, after scoring just his seventh goal in 145 United games.

“I’m not normally in this situation in the box, but I’m very happy that I can help the team in this way.

“We have worked really hard from the first day in pre-season ... to get into this period of time really, really fit.

Adelaide United captain Isaias completed his Australian citizenship at Hindmarsh Stadium this month. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

“But we need to win every single game at home. It’s better to ... treat every game as a final.”

Adelaide was set to enter the last day of the January transfer window without having bolstered its squad, despite a spate of injuries and defender Taylor Regan’s mid-season departure.

The Reds had this week been boosted by the return to full training of midfielder Mirko Boland, from bereavement leave, and striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, from a quad problem.

Isaias backed his teammates to continue their progress, with or without recruits, starting from Saturday night’s home clash with second-bottom Brisbane Roar.

“It (lack of signings) doesn’t concern me at all because I know we have a strong squad,” said the 31-year-old, who had played every minute of the Reds’ league season.

“I believe in every single player in the squad and I know if there are no (new) players coming, maybe it’s because the players that they found are not better than what we have.”