Glory defenders Michael Thwaite and Scott Jamieson are both named in the Socceroos squad.
In the wake of a surprise ‘phone call on Monday afternoon, Scott Jamieson found himself back in the Socceroos frame and on top of the world.
The left-back last represented his country at senior level more than two years ago, but his stellar form for Perth Glory this season has persuaded national team coach Holger Osieck to name the 24-year-old in his provisional squad for next month’s East Asian Cup qualifying tournament to be held in Hong Kong.
Jamieson will be one of 25 players heading to Sydney on Monday for a week-long training camp, with the final tournament squad set to be announced next Thursday.
“I got the call from the team manager Gary Moretti,” he revealed, “and I have his number saved in my phone from the previous times I’ve been involved with the Socceroos, so when I saw his name come up, I thought here we go.
“He told me I was in the provisional squad and that I’d be going to Sydney for a week, so I was really chuffed.
“To be honest, I hadn’t been thinking about it (Socceroos selection) and I really didn’t expect anything.
“I’ve learnt over the course of my short career that expecting things is not the right way to go about it.
“I’ve just been concentrating on getting into the Perth Glory team and staying in it and slowly but surely I’ve been doing that and contributing to the team.”
And the affable former Adelaide and Sydney man was quick to pay tribute to his club colleagues for their help in thrusting him back into the international spotlight.
“I’ve got to thank Ian Ferguson for taking a chance on me,” he said.
“A few people may have been put off by me or by things that have happened in the past, but he backed me, so I want to thank him and the rest of the coaching staff for that.
“And an even bigger thank-you has to go to my team-mates.
“I’ve been really enjoying myself here playing with these boys and that’s contributed to me being a happy person on and off the field.
“When that happens, my football gets better.
“It’s been a really good start to my Perth Glory career, but I’m not going to dwell on it.
“I really want to kick on and improve with the team.”
The qualifying tournament itself will run from 1st – 9th December, with the Socceroos battling it out against Chinese-Taipei, Guam, DPR Korea and hosts Hong Kong for the right to participate at next year’s EAFF East Asian Cup where regional heavyweights Japan, China and Korea Republic will lie in wait.
“I’m pretty sure Australia are in the tournament for the first time,” said Jamieson, “and whenever you get the opportunity to play for your country, whether it be in a friendly, or in a qualifier, or in a tournament, it’s massive.
“I’ve had a quick look at the fixtures and the names probably aren’t the powerhouse countries that we’re all used to, but I’m sure they’re all quality opposition.
“If I get the opportunity after the Sydney camp, I’ll be absolutely buzzing, but I don’t have any expectations.
“I just want to go to Sydney and put my best foot forward and I’m really looking forward to the whole week.
“The most pleasing aspect for me is that I’m at least in the mix and I haven’t been in that mix for about two years.
“So I’m really pleased to have my name in and about the same sentence as the Socceroos.”
Jamieson will have club-mate Michael Thwaite alongside him for company at next week’s training camp after the centre-back unsurprisingly retained his place in Holger Osieck’s squad following a strong performance in the recent friendly victory over Korea Republic.
“It’s obviously a big honour for me and great to be back involved in the squad,” said Thwaite.
“I didn’t play in my favoured positions against Korea, but it was probably actually the most fun I’ve had in the national team set-up.
“I did my best at left-back and in central midfield and I think Holger (Osieck) likes that versatility and I’m really looking forward to getting into camp next week.
“It’s the pinnacle of anyone’s career to represent their country and I’m very excited to have chance to play in these four games.
“It’ll be nice to have Jamo there as well.
“I think we’ve got a really good combination going on the left-hand side for Glory. “He’ll go head to head with Aziz Behich for the left-back position and hopefully he’ll get the nod.”
Should either or both of the defensive duo be selected to play in Hong Kong, however, they will be unavailable for Perth Glory’s back-to-back trips to Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory as the tournament is being played outside official FIFA match dates.
