Gold Coast United skipper Michael Thwaite has attempted to clear the air over his reluctance to discuss the Qantas Socceroos after last week’s 3-0 loss to Brisbane in the M1 derby.
Gold Coast United skipper Michael Thwaite has attempted to clear the air over his reluctance to discuss the Qantas Socceroos after last week’s 3-0 loss to Brisbane in the M1 derby.
Speaking on live TV to Fox Sports presenter Melanie McLaughlin after going down to the Roar at Suncorp Stadium last Friday, Thwaite abruptly ended his post-match interview when asked for his thoughts on his inclusion in Holger Osieck’s training camp this week.
“I don’t want to talk about the Socceroos,” he said at the time.
But speaking ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the Newcastle Jets at Skilled Park, Thwaite said his immediate reaction came in the heat of the moment.
“In all respect to Mel, after the game all I was thinking about was our result against the Roar,” he explained.
“I didn’t really want to characterise myself as being with the Socceroos as I was still focusing on the game, which I need to as captain.”
“I’m one of those players that likes to really do my talking on the field, I don’t really like commenting about the Socceroos.”
“I think Holger and (Olyroos coach) Aurelio (Vidmar) appreciate that the most because they know the personality that I am and that’s all that matters.”
Thwaite, who has been capped six times for the Australian national team, was delighted with his own participation in the two-day training camp in Sydney, which was fashioned to allow Osieck and Vidmar the chance to run their eyes over potential selections for both the Qantas Socceroos and the Qantas Australian Under 23 side.
“It was a great initiative from the FFA. It gives Holger and Aurelio the opportunity to see our personalities face-to-face, to look at the players one-on-one and test us,” he said.
“We had an 80-minute game and for the majority of it, I was in the midfield actually. He (Osieck) tested me with a few young players and that made me quite tired but it was one of the best times I’ve had in camp.”
In fact, the camp may prove to be a double boon for Thwaite, who shared a room with Newcastle winger Ryan Griffiths and as a result may have gleaned an insight into how the visitors will approach Sunday’s match.
“I’ve got a few of their tactics. I was asking him questions left, right and centre,” he laughed.
“Having six points from three games, they’re not going to want to come away with a loss. They’ll be smart and try not to concede and at least get a point.”
“I don’t think they’ve been playing the best football but they’ve been getting results. In the A-League at the start of the season, that’s all that matters.”
“The pressure’s building on us because we’ve only got two points, even though we’ve been playing well. If we can put our chances away – and we’ve been creating more than ever – it’ll lift our performance and confidence.”
“I’ve known (Griffiths) for quite a while, we played together in Romania. If he comes and marks me I’ll know what to do.”
