The first Socceroos are arriving in Qatar as the Australian squad prepares for the World Cup to kick off in a week.
Veteran defender Milos Degenek was one of the first to arrive in Doha, landing last Thursday – and has already banked a couple of one-on-one sessions with striker Mitch Duke.
Degenek revealed today that he spent a fortnight secretly training with his former club, Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, in preparation for the Qatar tournament.
And he offered a word of advice for the raft of Socceroos making their first World Cup experience.
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The 28-year-old played 132 times for the historic side between 2018 and 2021, including in the Champions League against a number of France and Denmark stars the Socceroos will face in Qatar.
This season, he featured 28 times for American club Columbus Crew in central defence, with his final game coming on October 9.
Today, Degenek revealed a secret training stint with the reigning Serbian champions helped him get in “peak shape” for the World Cup.
“After my season finished in the MLS I continued to train in America for the next 10-12 days. Then I flew to Serbia to see my wife and daughter and family who I haven’t seen for five or six months.
“Then I continued to train with Red Star Belgrade, my old club, who welcomed me with open arms. I appreciate that and I’d like to thank them this way as well for that, for helping me prepare. I was training there for a good two weeks, every day. I think I’m in peak shape and really fit and ready for this World Cup.”
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The 26-man Australia squad features 17 players appearing at their first World Cup, with 38-cap Degenek one of the few to have featured at Russia 2018.
He said: “I was in Russia, I had a great experience. I think the team in Russia was very different, we had a lot more experienced players and leaders like Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill, and Mark Milligan who were part of the squad. Those boys are not here, but Maty Ryan’s here, Mathew Leckie is here, Aziz (Behich) is here, who are still leaders and have been to the last World Cup as well – and myself and Jackson Irvine as well.
“I can bring that calm nature and that experience to help the boys if things are in need of a bit of a conversation outside the pitch.
“On the pitch I can bring that calmness and that work ethic, and the desire to win, and just my experience overall in these situations of playing against these (star) players that we are bound to play against over the next couple of weeks.”
And he shared a word of advice to the 17 rookies: “Take it all in. I guess, accept where you are. Be thankful that you’re here. I guess it sinks in after you leave the camp, you’ll probably sink in that you’re at a World Cup.
“Be proud, close your eyes for a minute and take it all in once you lay down your room and realise you’re at a World Cup. You’re representing, not just your country but you’re representing your family, your friends, and all the hard work you’ve done since you were a little boy and started playing football.
“But the most important thing is just smile, enjoy it. There’s 832 players at this World Cup and you’re one of them! There’s million of footballers around the world so you have to know how fortunate you are to be here.”
