EXCLUSIVE | Tomi Juric is fired up to help the Foxtel A-League All Stars defeat Juventus and in doing so the Western Sydney Wanderers striker hopes it will push his claims for a Socceroo recall.
On Monday, Juric was named in the Foxtel A-League All Stars squad as the first out and out striker in coach Josep Gombau’s squad.
Sydney FC central defensive rock Sasa Ognenovski and Mariners full back pair Storm Roux and Josh Rose were also named after the online vote.
Ali Abbas from Sydney FC and Juric’s teammate Matthew Spiranovic rounded out the first six players named.
They will join captain and former Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero in the Foxtel A-League All Stars 2014 squad.
With nine goals in all competitions, Juric was awarded the Wanderers Golden Boot as highest scorer last season.
And the aggressive central striker, who turns 23 later this month, cannot wait to lock horns with the Juventus backline – one of the meanest in the world.
“Juventus … the name speaks for itself,” the Wanderer told www.a-leagueallstars.com.au.
“What a challenge for the boys who made the All Stars and what a stage to show yourself in. It’s a big stage for us all.
“I’m sure we’ll take it very seriously and try to show ourselves to the world against top class players.
“They had 12 players at the World Cup so definitely excited but also not frightened.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge because it’ll be a good test for me and the squad.
“I’ve never come up against players with [Leonardo] Bonucci at the back and [Giorgio] Chiellini.
"Those two are national team players who’ve just gone to a World Cup.
“They are world class but hopefully we can give the fans a good showing.”
No doubt the media in Australia will quiz Chiellini about the infamous biting incident with Luis Suarez at the World Cup.
The Italian defender has already tweeted he’s moved on from the incident.
Juric joked he wasn’t likely to take a similar course of action during the game in Sydney.
“I’m sure if he’s marking me I’ll find other ways to get around him.
“I’ll definitely won’t resort to biting!”
So, how to beat Juventus? Juric knows one way.
“I think the best tactic is to work as a team to get around these guys [Juventus]. Individually they’re such high class and it will be very difficult to take them on, one-on-one.
“So it’ll be crucial to work as a team and adapt and gel as a team as quick as we can so we can get a good result.”
Juric missed out on the Socceroos’ World Cup squad for Brazil 2014 but after making his debut last year in the East Asian Football Federation Cup, is hopeful this will be his year to come back into the reckoning ahead of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
“I represented Australia last year and it was a great moment for myself and I definitely want to continue doing that.
“I’m working hard to keep that dream alive and work on it.
“It’s a goal I’ve set for myself and I’m working hard to achieve it," he said.
Champions of Italy, Juventus, take on the FOXTEL A-League All Stars led by the Italian champion Alessandro Del Piero at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Sunday 10 August.
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