Mark Birighitti says he’s in the form of his life on the Central Coast – which makes it all the more “disappointing” his career-best output hasn’t translated into opportunities with the Socceroos throughout head coach Graham Arnold’s tenure.
Birighitti joined the Mariners ahead of the 2019-20 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign. His first season on the Central Coast coincided with the club’s third consecutive wooden spoon – but it’s been all uphill ever since, with the rejuvenated Mariners having a season and a half to remember, coinciding with Birighitti’s brilliant individual form.
The Mariners gloveman is eyeing a second consecutive tilt at Finals Series football – but beyond the A-Leagues, the 30-year-old looks at the current Socceroos squad and can’t help but question why Arnold hasn’t called on his services over the past two years throughout Australia’s sub-par World Cup qualifying campaign.
Birighitti represented Australia 38 times at Under-17, U20 and U23 level, making one appearance for the Socceroos against China in 2013.
“It’s disappointing. I feel like personally I’ve been the best goalkeeper in the league the last couple of seasons, and to not get a look in, it is what it is,” Birighitti told Neds.
You can watch the full feature here:
“I’m a professional, I know what I have to do and I’ll keep improving week in, week out, and there’s not much else I can do really. Just keep performing and hopefully in the future I get that call-up.
“I do want to get back in the system, it’s every player’s dream to represent their country. I’ve been lucky enough to do it once already, and I feel like I deservedly should get a call-up sometime soon.”
The Socceroos are bound for a potential two World Cup play-off fixtures in June after a dismal end to the group stages of AFC qualifying. Arnold’s side won just one of their last seven fixtures to finish third in Group B behind Japan and Saudi Arabia, setting up a one-leg play-off with the United Arab Emirates, with the winner progressing to face CONMEBOL’s Peru for a spot in the World Cup.
Sydney FC shot-stopper Andrew Redmayne has long been the A-Leagues representative in the Socceroos goalkeeping union. In the lead-up to Australia’s two recent qualifiers – a 2-0 loss to Japan and 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia which rounded out the group stage of World Cup qualifying – Birighitti received a call from Socceroos goalkeeping coach John Crawley which gave him a firm understanding of his place in the pecking order.
“We had a good conversation… I know where I stand,” Birighitti said. “Like I said, I respect him, I respect everyone involved in the national team and what they’re doing. Even though I’m not in the national team I’ll be supporting them from afar; hopefully they can do the nation proud and qualify for the World Cup.”
In 2016, at 25 years of age, Birighitti made the enormous leap from Newcastle Jets in the A-League Men’s to Premier League outfit Swansea City. In hindsight it was a leap too far, says Birighitti. But at the time it was an offer difficult to refuse.
Birighitti would go on to make six appearances for Swansea’s U23 side, before moving to Eredivisie outfit NAC Breda in the Netherlands, where he made a further 17 appearances in a “tough” European stint which preceded his return to Australia in 2018 with Melbourne City.
“Going to the Premier League from the A-League was a massive jump and a massive step,” Birighitti said. “Looking back at it now, I’m a bit older now and a bit more experienced, it probably wasn’t the best move for my career.
“Going over there I had a fantastic experience, learning off one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League in Lukasz Fabianski who I’m (still) very close with. But just being in and amongst it around top quality players day in, day out, just to see the facilities, the resources, how it is at the top level was a real experience and one I will cherish for a very long time.
“I knew that I was never going to play, I was young at the time and all I wanted to do was play football. I had the opportunity to experience Dutch football… it was a massive opportunity and a great experience, and it was a tough one.
“Younger boys don’t realise how lucky we’ve got it here. It’s tough, I was 25 years of age and that was my first real crack at European football. It was challenging, fighting relegation battles, and it was tough not being able to leave your apartment and getting threats.”
Swansea finished 15th in the Premier League in Birighitti’s single full-season at the club. The pressure that came with representing a club loitering near the bottom of the table in one of the most cut-throat leagues in world football was immense – but that hasn’t stopped Birighitti dreaming of another overseas move.
“I’m still young as a goalkeeper,” he said. “I’m only 30, I’m very ambitious. Obviously now it’s different: I have a young family, I need to take them into consideration. But most definitely, I definitely want to give it a crack overseas whether it’s Europe, Asia, the Middle East, I’m open to it.
“But like I said, I’ve got a job at hand and that’s to finish the season here with the Mariners and push for the finals, and if we can make the finals anything can happen.”
Birighitti has been immense for the Mariners in 2021-22, the season after being crowned joint-Goalkeeper of the Year alongside Socceroos gloveman Redmayne.
This season Birighitti has made 63 saves, enjoying a save percentage of 73.3% and keeping four clean sheets in 16 games. He’s conceded 23 goals, with Stats Perform’s xG model suggesting he should have conceded 28.3 goals throughout the season to date.
Birighitti knows an overseas move and/or a Socceroos recall are dependant on his form at the Mariners continuing in the same vein.
“It’s been a very successful year and a half at the club,” he said. “Before coming here the club was in a bit of a rough path, in previous seasons and results and coming last.
Birighitti added: “Coming back from overseas I knew how important it was for me to get that regular game time. My first season at the club was a disappointing one, finishing second last. It was like ‘here we go again, what have I gotten myself into?’ But the second season we managed to turn it around, finishing third. It was a fantastic experience for the club.
“On a personal note, I’m very happy with the way I’ve been performing. I’ve still got a lot of improvement to go, and I’m just really looking forward to what the future brings.
“The year before going overseas I had a really good season at Newcastle, but yeah this past year and a half has definitely been the highlight in my career so far. Last season I think we had one of the best defensive units in the league, I think we were second or third with goals conceded. I think that helps a lot, when you have a good team in front of you with a lot of experienced players, that can help you a lot.
“You go through those phases as a goalkeeper, the same as with any position on the field, (like) a striker when you’re banging them in week in, week out, you just get that confidence. I feel I’m at that stage now in my career, especially this season where I’m playing my part for the team and providing those key moments for the group when they need me.
“To try and win the team as many points as possible, it’s a good feeling to have. But in saying that, life is great, I’ve got a young family and they’re happy here on the coast, I’ve got two young kids, and yeah everything is falling into place at the moment.”
