Australia 4 Czech Republic 0: Andrew Nabbout makes big impreession as Socceroos warm-up in style
LESS than two years ago he was struggling to find a club - now Andrew Nabbout has all but booked himself a seat on the plane to Russia with the Socceroos after his first goal for his country.
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LESS than two years ago he was struggling to find a club - now Andrew Nabbout has all but booked himself a seat on the plane to Russia.
Nabbout’s debut international goal was a highlight of Australia’s 4-0 defeat of the Czech Republic on Friday night, with the 25-year-old seemingly certain to be part of the final 23-man squad that coach Bert van Marwijk takes to the World Cup.
The result gave a huge boost to the Socceroos as they try to absorb van Marwijk’s tactical instructions ahead of their first World Cup clash with France on June 16.
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Leading the line for the Socceroos with Tomi Juric injured, Nabbout pounced on a mistake by the Czech defence to shoot home emphatically and vindicate van Marwijk’s decision to throw him into World Cup reckoning.
Two months after he was signed by Urawa Reds, one of the biggest clubs in Japan - and two years after he had to ask A-League clubs for a trial - Nabbout marvelled at the transformation in his own fortunes.
“It was very special, especially considering that a couple of months ago I wasn’t on the radar,” he said.
“Now to be in here and to get my first goal is unbelievable, it’s so special.
“Just to pull on that jersey is so special. It’s a huge confidence booster for me (if) I get that chance. That’s up to the coach, who he selects in the 23 and who he wants to start with up top.
“If I get that honour I’ll work as hard as I can, like I did today, and try and get the best out of it and put France under pressure because they’ve got some very big names.”
Nabbout revealed that Mark Milligan had ordered him to refocus after the goal, with the Socceroos determined to display the discipline demanded by van Marwijk.
“I got the word from Millsy straight after I scored, (he said to) forget that ever happened and keep going because you’ve got a lot of goals in you,” he said.
“He knew that if I worked hard like that, that first goal was just going to be the base and I could score more.
“That’s the exact advice I needed to be honest, I didn’t want to go wandering and it was perfect. I went back out there, pressed, tried to get another one and it sets the tone. You press and everyone wants to press with you.”
“It was relieving but sometimes in those situations you have to knuckle down and concentrate again.”
Van Marwijk nodded approvingly when asked about Nabbout, whom he picked on a whim after watching him once playing for Newcastle earlier this year.
“I nominated him (for the squad) after I saw him play in Australia, so I have an idea about him,” van Marwijk said.
“Now you see his movements, he’s fast, he’s strong.
“But he is also a guy who needs a goal so I think it was very important for him.”