City midfielder Aiden O’Neill is looking to relish every moment following his first Socceroos call-up.
In the form of his career and fresh off his brace and Player of the Match performance against Brisbane Roar, City’s star midfielder has had to overcome a difficult period of injuries in recent years to earn his much-deserved first senior national team call-up.
“I’ve had a few setbacks in the last few years with the injuries that I’ve had, and I’ve been working really hard on my game,” O’Neill said. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be honest and just to be involved in that group after the success that they’ve had at the World Cup, I just want to enjoy every moment.”
After receiving the call from Graham Arnold, O’Neill credited the support of his teammates and the Club’s success in his own development.
“They’ve (City) brought in a few players, and I can say for myself, Valon, playing next to him and the experience he has as a player, as a person, his attitude towards life and football is really positive and it matches mine,” O’Neill explained. “I try to be as positive as I can be in life and just enjoy every moment especially after getting two injuries in the last few years. I’ve really tried to just enjoy my football this season and play with a smile and just take everything in my stride.
“I feel like my form this season is the best form I’ve been in, in a long time. Just playing consistent football and we’ve had quite a bit of success over the last few years and a lot of stuff that I do goes unrecognised at times, but I feel like I’m in really good form and over the moon to be selected.
“There are some players in the squad with amazing international experience and I’ll be taking everything in and learning as much as I can.”
O’Neill will be joined in the squad by City teammates Jordan Bos and Marco Tilio
Like O’Neill, Bos has earned his first call-up to the Socceroos following his stellar season in City blue and it’s just the beginning according to his City teammate.
“He’s unbelievable, he’s really taken everything in his stride,” O’Neill said. “He really doesn’t overthink things, he just goes out there and does what he does.”
“He’s got everything to play at the top, I’ve been overseas and been involved with a Premier League team and I can honestly say he would slot into that and be able to play week in, week out in that division. He’s got a very bright future ahead of him.”
The City trio are also joined in the squad by a pair of former teammates in Academy products Nathaniel Atkinson and Connor Metcalfe.
Watch Aiden O’Neill’s full press conference here.
Fixture Details
Match 1
Friday 24 March 2023, 8:10pm KO
CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Match 2
Tuesday 28 March, 7:35pm KO
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
