Football player Anton Mlinaric in training for FIFA U-17 World Cup
Anton Mlinaric has been playing football since he was just four — and now he is preparing for a chance to play for his country.
Local Sports Stars
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Anton Mlinaric has been playing football since he was just four — and now he is preparing for a chance to play for his country.
Mlinaric, 15, is in Year 10 at Bossley Park High School, where he benefits from participating in the Talented Football Program.
“The program allows me to have extra training that we wouldn’t get anywhere else,” he said.
“It’s helpful to get a step above everyone else — it’s very competitive.”
Mlinaric was also recently selected to trial for a place in the Joeys, the Australian under-17s football team, which is currently preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The competition will take place in Brazil in 2019.
“I got an email telling me I had been selected to trial, so I attended a three-day camp at Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood,” Mlinaric said.
“We did a few training games with the Australian coach in the professional environment, which was a really good experience.”
The team, which is currently comprised of under-15s players, will spend the next two years working towards the World Cup.
“The training was the best part of the camp,” Mlinaric said.
“Just getting to work on those skills in the professional environment was a good way to prepare.”
Making the Australian team is just one of Mlinaric’s many goals for his future football career.
“Hopefully I will be able to play overseas somewhere down the track,” he said.
“I love football; I love the adrenaline rush when you score, or make a good tackle.”
His favourite team is Manchester United, but he looks up to Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho as a role model.
“He’s my favourite player because he came from nothing and became a great success,” Mlinaric said.
“He gives his money to charity and he uses his success to help others, but he isn’t cocky.”
Mlinaric currently plays centre-back for Sydney FC, and has scored one goal, against APIA Leichhardt Tigers, in the season to date.
Mlinaric is this week’s Local Sports Star competition nominee.
The competition is open to local children who have excelled in their chosen sport.
For more information or to nominate a local sports star, visit localsportsstar.com.au.
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