Friday, 11 April 2003 12:00 AM
South Melbourne Soccer Clubs’s in-form young goal-keeper, Eugene Galekovic, today became the fourth South Melbourne player to catch the eye of Australian National team coaches with his selection in the Under 23 Australian Team (Olyroos) to play against the Spanish Under 23 team. The match will be played in Lorca, Spain on Tuesday 29th April 2003. He joins other South Melbourne “young guns” Vince Lia, Michael Baird and Massimo Murdocca in gaining international selection. The trio are all part of the Under 20 Australian Youth team.
Eugene has impressed all at South Melbourne this season with his professionalism and level-headedness. He now has the opportunity to put himself in the international “shop window”.
Eugene told southmelbournesc.com.au, “When I got the call this afternoon, I couldn’t believe it. When I first came across to South Melbourne, I thought to myself this is a fantastic opportunity to be at such a great club, and I was prepared to be patient and wait my turn. Then when the opportunity arose to show my talents, I knew that I had some big shoes to fill, and South being the professional club that they are, I would have to work real hard at cementing my position, and I enjoyed the challenge given to me.”
“Every player aspires and dreams of wearing the Green and Gold and representing their country, and now that it has become a reality it’s a little hard to digest. I will give it my best shot and enjoy the experience and savour every moment.”
Eugene will head into camp on Saturday the 26th April before the game on Tuesday 29th April 2003. This is a date set aside by FFA for an International Match.
In other news, FIFA announced today that the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship has been rescheduled for November 27 through to December 19 2003. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates.
The announcement pleased Under 20 Coach Ange Postecoglou who feared that the tournament may have been scratched all together, and that a whole group of players would have missed the chance to appear on what is a world stage.
Postecoglou has said, “The players that were originally selected have their places in jeopardy depending on their form, and for the players that missed out it gives them a second chance. From my point of view it is virtually a case of starting from scratch and putting a program in place.”
South Melbourne would like to congratulate Eugene on his tremendous achievement.