Manly footballer Cameron Peupion cracks Joeys World Cup squad
It was the most nervous wait of his life but Cameron Peupion is now about to embark on a dream trip to the World Cup in Brazil.
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Cameron Peupion has never been so nervous in his life.
From the moment he woke up on the day he knew an email was due regarding Joeys selection for the World Cup, he was jittery.
“I was on the edge of my seat all day, so nervous,’’ said the Curl Curl footballer who recently toured the UK with the squad.
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“When the email finally came and I realised I was in I just hugged everyone and then hugged them again. It was such a big moment for me.
“I felt like I had a good campaign in the UK, player pretty well in two games, but you can never be too confident.’’
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Peupion and three of his teammates at the Sydney FC Academy were on Wednesday unveiled in the FIFA under 17 World Cup squad to play in the Brazil tournament from later this month.
The Year 11 student at Pittwater House is one of 21 players attempting to better Australia’s best ever result at the event - reaching the finals at the 1999 tournament.
The World Cup will be contested by 24 nations and will run between October 26 and November 17.
The Australians will take on Ecuador, Hungary and Nigeria in Group B first up with the two teams from each of the six groups - and the four best third-placed teams - advancing to the round of 16.
“They will all be hungry,’’ he said.
“I know they will all be top opposition and know it will be a hard group but we have a lot of belief in ourselves.
“We have the goal of going all the way. We are all really close.’’
Australian Trevor Morgan unveiled the playing roster for the World Cup after two years scrutinising his young charges in domestic camps and international friendlies.
Sydney FC have the most players in the squad in a testament to the success of their academy.
Peupion will be joined by fellow Sydney FC players Anton Mlinaric, Adam Pavlesic and Ryan Teague who will captain the side.
“We all know each other so well. It will be great to have them in the side,’’ he said.
“We’ve been playing each other since we were 13.
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“I am just excited to play, we’ve worked really hard to get here.’’
Players based both overseas and in Australia will meet up in Chile for a 12 day training camp before heading to Brazil ahead of Australia’s first game against Ecuador on October 26.
The Australian matches will be broadcast live on SBS.