He openly admits he was overwhelmed at first but Jaushua Sotirio’s first 15 minutes of Hyundai A-League action has only left him hungry for more.
He openly admits he was overwhelmed at first but Jaushua Sotirio’s first 15 minutes of Hyundai A-League action has only left him hungry for more.
The talented Western Sydney Wanderers teenager made his senior debut off the bench in the 77th minute of Saturday’s 1-0 victory win over the Newcastle Jets.
Sotirio, who turned 18 in October, only started training with the A-League squad full-time three weeks ago and admits he is still pinching himself after getting on the pitch last weekend.
“I really felt blessed to be given the chance to play alongside the first-grade team,” Sotirio said.
“I was quite nervous and a bit overwhelmed at the start with the fans and all that, it just got me going a bit.
“Compared to the Youth team it’s a high intensity and high tempo. It was a bit hard to adapt but I got used to it at the end.”
The talented youngster admits his A-League debut came sooner than he expected but is craving for more game time this season as he looks to secure an A-League contract with the Wanderers.
“I think I did all right, I had a shot and nearly scored,” he said.
“It was good, hopefully Tony Popovic can give me another opportunity, that’d be great.
“Now I just want to train more consistently, keep training with the first grade and hopefully keep playing more with them and hopefully by the end of the season I can get a first-grade contract.”
Sotirio’s football odyssey began when he was diagnosed with asthma as a young child and advised to start playing a sport.
Both of his parents were born in New Caledonia so it’s no surprise he lists French great Zinedine Zidane as his football idol.
“I watched a lot of French football with my family when I was young and he inspired me,” he said of Zidane.
“I even met him actually. I think it was in 2006 or 2007, I was in New Caledonia and he was doing a charity match and at the end of the game I got to take a photo with him and it was the best day of my life.
He has ambitions to one day play club football in France but there is no question as to where his allegiances lie.
“Hopefully (one day I will) be in the Socceroos and play in the World Cup, represent my country Australia,” he said.
“I always support the Socceroos and keep an eye on France.”
The speedy winger got a taste of international honours last week as one of 23 players invited to a Young Socceroos camp in Canberra.
“It was very intense and I was just really overjoyed,” he said of the three-day training camp.
“It was a bit unexpected to see my name and get the email but I enjoyed it very much.”
