Ben Halloran is hoping to turn his excellent German club form into a Socceroos World Cup berth

BEN Halloran says the possibility of representing the Socceroos in Brazil was the driving force behind his stunning finish to the German season.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Ben Halloran poses during an Australian Socceroos portrait session at Crowne Plaza Terrigal on May 20, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

BEN Halloran admits the possibility of representing the Socceroos in Brazil was the driving force behind his stunning finish to the German season.

The 21-year-old flyer scored six goals in 18 games for his Bundesliga II club Fortuna Dusseldorf. His impressive run came soon after an unfortunate hip injury ruled him out of what would have been his international debut against Ecuador in March.

Rather than be disappointed, Halloran took comfort in the knowledge that he was already on Ange Postecoglou’s radar and used that as motivation to get into the Socceroos World Cup squad.

Ben Halloran of the Socceroos. Driven to play at the World Cup.

“I was selected, so I tried to look on the bright side,” Halloran said.

“I was gutted I couldn’t play, but I was told if I continued to play and I was in form that I was every chance to be selected again, so I didn’t dwell on it too much.

“It drives you, especially playing at club level. I didn’t really need too much motivation to play where I was at Fortuna, but that’s always at the back of your mind — that if you play well you could be selected to play at a World Cup and that’s every players dream.”

Halloran timed his run to perfection. The former Brisbane Roar winger admits he had a tough time settling into his new German club in the first half of the season, but by the end of it his confidence was up — so much so that he would be disappointed not to make it into the Socceroos’ starting line-up.

“The first half was a bit of an adjustment period for me,” Halloran said.

“I was playing in the second team and wasn’t so confident in the early stages. That’s pretty normal when you go overseas. The second half I had a lot more confidence and scored a few goals toward the end of the season.

“If I’m not in the starting XI I’d be disappointed, because if I’m not then I shouldn’t be here. But in saying that, there is some pretty stiff competition.”

Halloran says Postecoglou’s training sessions have been short, sharp and intense as each player looks to impress the coach.

He hasn’t been given much of an indication of where he stands, but is hoping to feature against South Africa in Monday night’s farewell friendly at ANZ Stadium.

“Ange keeps his cards close to his chest,” Halloran said.

“He doesn’t say too much, but when he addresses the boys before training he has a clear idea of how he wants to play. But he stands back and observes from afar, so I haven’t had too much of an indication. So far I’ve enjoyed the training and I’m looking forward to the game on Monday.”

Originally published as Ben Halloran is hoping to turn his excellent German club form into a Socceroos World Cup berth