New Talent on the Horizon: Suto and Juric Eye Socceroos Call-Up
Australia’s national football team, the Socceroos, is abuzz with the arrival of two promising new forwards, Ante Suto and Deni Juric, both eyeing a potential ticket to the World Cup. For Suto, this marks his very first foray onto Australian soil, a stark contrast to his usual Scottish haunts. The 25-year-old, born in Croatia to a Melbourne-born father, expressed his delight at the warmer climate compared to Scotland.
“It’s actually the first time I’ve been here,” Suto commented. “All I can say is it’s much better weather than in Scotland and I’m happy to be here.” His arrival comes at a crucial time, with the Socceroos gearing up for international friendlies against Cameroon in Sydney and Curacao in Melbourne. These matches present a golden opportunity for Suto to earn his first cap and make a compelling case for World Cup selection.
Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has been keeping a close eye on the striker. While Popovic was initially slated to watch Suto play for Croatian first division side Slaven Belupo, Suto’s move to Scotland, where he has since bagged three goals in seven games, has accelerated his national team prospects. Prior to receiving his maiden call-up, Suto shared a meal with assistant coach Mile Jedinak in Edinburgh, an encounter he aims to build upon with strong performances on the pitch.
Suto’s connection to Australia runs deep, stemming from his childhood. “I was proudly saying all my childhood that I’m an Australian,” he revealed. “All my friends were joking with me that I’m a kangaroo (and) they were calling me Anthony. I have always been Australian in my head.” He feels a profound sense of pride and responsibility, stating, “I know I’m going to be playing for the Socceroos with my heart and it’s special because a lot of Australian legends have heritage in Croatia so hopefully I’ll be another one like them.”
Following in Brother’s Footsteps: Deni Juric’s Socceroos Dream
While Suto draws inspiration from a broader historical connection between Croatian and Australian footballing legends, Deni Juric has a more immediate role model in his older brother, Tomi Juric, a member of the 2015 Asian Cup squad. Deni, 28, also a striker, has landed in Australia for the first time in 12 years, ready to carve out his own Socceroos legacy.
“I’m pretty aggressive, I can say that I like to do a lot of the dirty work that goes unseen,” Juric described his playing style. “It’s obviously my job to score goals and hopefully I get a chance on the pitch to show myself.” The emotional significance of potentially representing Australia is palpable for Deni. “It was a privilege to watch (Tomi) put on the jersey and it was like I was wearing the jersey – and I was, I was wearing it at home,” he shared. “It’s been a dream of him and myself to play for the Socceroos, it’s a privilege to say my brother was able to play for the Socceroos and to win a lot.”
Seizing the Opportunity: World Cup Aspirations
With key strikers Mohamed Toure and Nick D’Agostino sidelined through injury, and other in-form players like Mitchell Duke, Brandon Borrello, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, and Adam Taggart not selected on current form, the door is wide open for Suto and Juric. Their performances in the upcoming friendlies will be crucial in bolstering their chances of securing a spot in the World Cup squad.
Juric has already demonstrated his ability to prove his worth at club level. He has netted five goals in 13 appearances since joining Polish side Wisla Plock in September. The Polish Ekstraklasa, an 18-team league, is renowned for its competitiveness this season, with only 11 points separating the second-placed team from the relegation zone.
“The league is very hectic, any team can beat any team and there’s a lot of quality there,” Juric explained. “The league has rapidly grown in the last few years and the teams are doing very well in Europe.” This experience in a tough European league has undoubtedly prepared him for the challenges and intensity of international football.
The arrival of these two talented forwards injects fresh energy and competition into the Socceroos camp. Their contrasting yet equally compelling journeys to this point underscore the diverse pathways players can take to represent their nation. With the World Cup looming, Suto and Juric are poised to seize their moment and potentially etch their names into Australian football history. Their determination, coupled with their demonstrated skill, makes them players to watch closely in the coming weeks.
