Apostolos Stamatelopoulos ready to strike for Australia after finding form and fitness at club level

Adelaide Oval looms as the perfect place for a proud South Australian to score his first goal for the Socceroos on Thursday night.

Having finally found the back of the net for Motherwell, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ next target is scoring his first goal for the Socceroos in Thursday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against China at Adelaide Oval.

The former Adelaide United, Western United and Newcastle Jets striker made his Socceroos debut off the bench in Australia’s 5-0 thrashing of Palestine in June but missed Australia’s games last month against Bahrain and Indonesia after suffering a hamstring injury playing for his new Scottish club in August.

However, fit again and on a high after opening up his account for Motherwell in a 2-1 weekend away win over Hibernian, Stamatelopoulos is eager to maintain his form at international level as the Socceroos enter a new era under Tony Popovic following the resignation of long-time coach Graham Arnold.

“It was definitely a big relief (scoring for Motherwell),” the 25-year-old marksman said on Tuesday.

“Basically in my first start of the season I got injured, was out for six weeks, came off the bench two weeks ago and then started the week after and scored.

“Whenever I got into a game of football I feel like I’m going to score regardless of where I am or where the game is.”

Chasing that matchday feeling 😮‍💨

Training days in Adelaide ahead of Thursday’s @FIFAWorldCup Round Three Qualifier against China PR 💪

🎟️ Get your tickets for the match at Adelaide Oval while you can! pic.twitter.com/MumzOriquM

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 8, 2024

The chance to score his first goal for the national team in his home state in front of family and friends looms as the icing on the cake for the proud South Australian.

“(Adelaide Oval) is a stadium that’s going to hold a lot of people and create the best atmosphere for us to go out and perform, so I’m happy about it,” Stamatelopoulos said.

“(China) being away from home, they’re going to sit very deep and try to keep a clean sheet, so for us it’s just about breaking them down, getting that first goal and letting the game open up and going from there.”

If last month’s performances against Bahrain (1-0 loss) and Indonesia (0-0 draw) are any indication, the Socceroos have plenty to work on if they are to conquer a deep-lying defence.

However, Stamatelopoulos said “more intensity” and “different tactics” under new coach and former Melbourne Victory mentor Popovic could lead to the Socceroos rediscovering their goal-scoring touch.

“I haven’t had him as a coach (previously) but I’ve obviously played against (his teams), so I know and have heard what he wants,” he said of Popovic.

“He’s very intense, very focused on working hard, so I’m looking to do that in training. for sure.”

Stamatelopoulos’ fellow Socceroo Riley McGree backed his former Adelaide teammate to rise to the occasion if given an opportunity against China.

“He has shown he’s capable and I think there’s still definitely more to come,” McGree said.

“The mentality he has is great to see, and I’m super proud of him.”