When Brent McGrath was included to be part of the training camp for potential Qantas Socceroos, Qantas Olyroos and Qantas Young Socceroos, little did he expect that he would be part of the Socceroos team to face Germany in the International friendly.
When Brent McGrath was included to be part of the training camp for potential Qantas Socceroos, Qantas Olyroos and Qantas Young Socceroos, little did he expect that he would be part of the Socceroos team to face Germany in the International friendly.
“It has been fantastic, I was not expecting it but I am here now,” said McGrath.
The 19 year old striker earned his first Socceroos cap and made his debut, coming on the 90th minute for Brett Holman in Australia-s 2-1 win against Germany.
McGrath currently plays for Brondy IF in the Danish Superliga after moving to Denmark four years ago.
Despite just earning his first Socceroos call up by coach Holger Osieck, McGrath has represented Australia at youth level and was the youngest footballer ever to represent the Qantas Joeys (U-17).
At 14 years and seven months old, coach Ange Postecoglou included the Bringelly boy in the Joeys squad for the first stage of the Asian qualifiers in Laos in 2005.
That same year, Westfield Sports High organised a trial for him at Bolton and he also played in Austria for their academy team.
It was only in February 2006 that he went to Brondby for trials and after a month of training and playing in Denmark, he was offered a contract.
“I really thought it was great moving to Denmark to start a new life. Playing football, go to school, meet new people and talk a different language. A lot of people have asked me, if I went abroad too early but I believe it was the only way for me,” said McGrath in his blog.
“If you want to make it to the big time, I think that you have to go and see how it is really done.”
On 22 March 2010, McGrath made his senior debut for the Brondby first team against Randers, coming on as a 65th minute substitute for Peter Madsen.
He scored his first goal for the club in October 2010 against FC Nordsjaelland in a 1-1 draw in the Danish Superliga.
Being only 19, McGrath is still eligible to represent the Olyroos at International competitions but he hoped to have shown enough in the training camp to keep his Socceroos spot.
