Former Brisbane Roar star and current Qantas Socceroos squad member Michael Zullo says he intends to finish his career in the Hyundai A-League and hopes many of his Australian team-mates are thinking the same way.
Zullo, who signed with Dutch contenders FC Utrecht prior to the 2010-11 A-League season, returned to Brisbane on Monday after being chosen in Holger Osieck’s 23-man squad for Australia’s World Cup Asian Qualifier against Thailand at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
And while it’s been some time since he has been awaiting a home-game at Suncorp Stadium, it seems the Brisbane-born left-footer has kept the Hyundai A-League on his radar.
Speaking with media from the squad’s city hotel base, Zullo applauded Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC’s respective signings of high-profile Socceroos Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton.
“I think this season is shaping up as one of the most exciting for the A-League,” said Zullo.
“Personally, I think Harry and Brett Emerton coming back is fantastic for the league. Everyone should be really happy about it.”
“They’re going to add a whole heap to the league in terms of quality and off the field stuff as well. They’re going to be great ambassadors.”
From exciting Brisbane Roar winger to emerging Dutch league defender, Zullo’s footballing journey has covered considerable ground in less than a year, but he hopes when all is said and done his progress will have taken him full circle and back to the Hyundai A-League for a second stint.
“I would like to think that most of the Socceroos would look to one day come back home,” said Zullo.
“Obviously that’s a long way away for me, but ideally I would still like to end up my career in Australia and end up where I started off.”
“If the opportunity is there, I would hope that a lot of them would end up coming back home, and I think it’s good for everyone involved.”
But for Zullo there’s plenty to achieve before even contemplating a permanent return.
After playing his first international since 2009 in the Qantas Socceroos’ recent 2-1 friendly win over Wales, the ever-improving Australian has made clear his ambition to make the left-back position his own.
As the Qantas Socceroos prepare to take their first step towards qualifying for Brazil in 2014, Zullo told media he intended to have a heavy influence on their success.
“I was at the World Cup as a supporter five years ago, so to be playing with those same guys, it’s a cliche, but it is a dream at the moment,” he said.
“I’m hopeful that I can kind of establish my place as not just an up and comer, but coming into the squad to stay in it for the duration.”
“Obviously it is a long World Cup qualifying campaign so there’s going to be a lot of games and hopefully I can be a part of them all.”
