Adelaide United goalkeeper Paul Izzo eyes A-League success against former club Central Coast Mariners
PAUL Izzo rolled the soccer dice when he left Adelaide United as a youngster in search of first team action 1500km from home. Now the Reds’ No. 1 and Socceroos hopeful is set to return to Central Coast as an FFA Cup winner.
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PAUL Izzo rolled the soccer dice when he left Adelaide United as an ambitious youngster in search of first team action 1500km from home.
The goalkeeper had already represented Australia at an under-20 World Cup, but had been restricted to just six A-League appearances behind Socceroos custodian Eugene Galekovic.
Instead of patiently waiting for his chance to come, Izzo made the bold call to cut ties with the Reds and try his luck with Central Coast Mariners in 2015.
“I took a gamble,” Izzo, now 23, recalled.
“The Mariners didn’t make any promises to me that I was going to be playing week-in-week-out.
“But I saw an opportunity there that was probably greater than the one that I had here (at United) at the time.
“At that age you’re basically raw as a goalkeeper.
“But it was fantastic for me to mature and grow as a keeper during my time there.”
The move reaped dividends for SA-born Izzo.
He played 42 games in two seasons for a youthful Mariners side, established himself as one of the country’s best young keepers and earned a move back to the Reds last season.
Campbelltown City product Izzo would return to Central Coast Stadium on Sunday when Adelaide looked for it’s first league win of the campaign against Mike Mulvey’s side.
The venue held special memories for the shot-stopper, given he also made his professional debut there for United in a 2-1 defeat six years ago.
“I really enjoyed my time at the Mariners, so it’s always good to go back,” the athletic 185cm talent said.
“But it’s ironic how things work out.
“You make your debut there, then two years later you go and sign there.
“I was 17 and hugely nervous before that first game, but at the same time really excited.
“The Mariners at the time were title contenders under Arnie (Graham Arnold) and they were a massive team and winning championships.
“They had so many great players, but we were going through a bit of a rough patch.”
Times have changed for both clubs.
While Central Coast was aiming for progress following last season’s wooden spoon, the Reds were flying high after capturing the FFA Cup on Tuesday night.
Izzo said the final victory over Sydney FC was the highlight of his young career, given his last sporting title was a primary school basketball premiership with St Joseph’s in Hectorville.
“It’s something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
“Being my first ever (soccer) trophy and winning it in front of all my family and friends that came to the game made it that extra bit special.
“It’s a huge boost because we know how hard we worked in the pre-season.
“Now we’ll continue doing that and hopefully go on to bigger and better things in the league.”
The knockout decider demonstrated Izzo’s growing on-field maturity.
He brought down Sky Blues’ forward Alex Brosque for a first-half penalty which Adam le Fondre converted.
But Izzo put the setback out of his mind to pull off a brilliant save low to his right from Milos Ninkovic, before Craig Goodwin’s stunning winner secured the cup for the Reds.
“It’s one of the first things you learn as a goalkeeper — whatever happens, happens,” the Australian under-23 first choice said.
“Especially playing in a final, you can’t afford to waste time dwelling on a past moment because the next moment is going to be even bigger.
“It (the save) wasn’t huge but if it was a goal, it changes everything and we might not have the trophy.”
Izzo credited his early development to former United goalkeeper coach Peter Blazincic, who also moulded Melbourne City duo Galekovic and Mark Birighitti into full internationals.
He said working with Reds mentor and ex-Socceroos gloveman Frank Juric since the start of last season had taken his game to new heights and exposed him to European training methods.
Juric, who spent 11 years playing in Germany, said Izzo had the ability to carve out a living overseas and eventually fulfil his national team dreams.
“Paul’s a great goalkeeper,” said Juric, who featured for Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen and Hannover 96 from 1997-2008.
“He wants to learn, he asks a lot of questions and he’s a hard worker.
“This year we’re looking for him to be a little bit more consistent than the year before.
“We’ve still got things to work on, but he’s got the potential to play overseas in Europe with the qualities he has … and then maybe the Socceroos after that.”