Spiranovic’s triumph over adversity
Courtesy: Geelong Advertiser
GEELONG soccer star Matthew Spiranovic has always had the talent.
But it has been his ability to overcome adversity, embrace new challenges and jump out of his comfort zone that suggests the 22-year-old also has the mental strength to perform on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Spiranovic is about to embark on the most important few months of his career to date as he strives to be part of the Socceroos World Cup qualification campaign, starting in September.
The gifted defender, who has long been touted as a next generation Socceroos player, showed coach Holger Osieck that his time may have arrived with an assured performance against New Zealand in Sunday’s 3-0 win in Adelaide.
“Making sure I play well is the most important thing (for now). Holger will be overlooking everything,” Spiranovic said before returning to Japan yesterday in time to play for J-League giant, Urawa Red, this weekend.
“I have been part of the (Socceroos) set up for a while. But we want to push the older guys.
“It (then makes) a good headache for the coach to have.”
Spiranovic will be vying for a spot in the Socceroos side against some of the biggest names in Australian football, including skipper Lucas Neill.
But his journey to now has him ready to climb such mountains.
Spiranovic was just a fresh-faced teenager when he was plucked from his Wandana Heights home and thrown into the cut-throat nature of European football.
He learnt plenty during his four years with Nuremberg in the German Bundesliga, although his progress was hampered by a string of injuries to his tall, developing frame. He was loaned to J-League club Urawa to get some games under his belt, a move which was made permanent for the 2009-10 season.
Since that point, Spiranovic has got his body right and has made the Reds’ centre back position his own.
But his bid to place himself front and centre in Osieck’s mind suffered a further setback when the horrific tsunami ripped through Japan early this year.
The J-League season had to be postponed until April.
”It has been hard for a lot of teams because it has been like going through a couple of pre-seasons,” Spiranovic said.
”Everyone is in the same boat though, we don’t want to make any excuses. It is nice to be back in Japan.”
There is no doubt that a good season in the J-League is vital for Spiranovic, not just for his club reputation, but for his chances of wearing the green and gold at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
”It is a great opportunity for the younger guys (in the Socceroos set-up) to put our hands up. It is always good to play for Australia and we have some big matches coming up.”
But now despite years of injury troubles, bench warming duties and even a tsunami, the 22-year-old is in the best position of his life to claim a spot in the Socceroos starting line-up for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Spiranovic’s start at centre back for the Socceroos against New Zealand on Sunday is the beginning of something big for this next generation Australian player.
The former North Geelong Warrior is putting the struggles of the past behind, and he is now making waves on the international pitch.
His performance on Sunday was assured, courageous and strong. It also drew the praise from head coach Holger Osieck and captain Lucas Neill.
Ironically it was Neill and experienced defensive partner Sasa Ognenovski who displaced Spiranovic and Jon McKain in the starting 11 for the Serbia game last Tuesday.
Now it is time for the fledgling star to step out of the shadow and claim a full time spot in the Australian team.
“It is a great opportunity for the younger guys to put our hands up,” he said.
“It is always good to play for Australia and we have some big matches coming up.”
Spiranovic knows how to fight for a spot, he worked his way into the Urawa Red Diamonds starting line-up, one of the most powerful and talent filled teams in Asia.
After three injury plagued years in Germany playing for Nuremberg, Spiranovic was loaned to Urawa to get some games under his belt.
The move was made permanent for the 2009-10 season, and since then the centre back has made that position his own.
Spiranovic flew back to Japan yesterday to return before tomorrow night’s crucial away match against Omiya Ardija.
After a slow start to the season Spiranovic said a win was vital.
“We are only secen games in, so we still have a big part of our season left,” he said.
“Our last game we drew at home, so a win is going to be vital for us.”
It has been an interrupted season in the Japanese J-League, with the season postponed until April after a horrific tsunami ripped through the country.
Spiranovic said the break forced the club to go through two preseasons.
“It has been hard for a lot of teams because it has been like going through a couple of pre-seasons,” he said.
“Everyone is in the same boat though, we don’t want to make any excuses. It is nice to be back in Japan.”
There is no doubt that a good season in the J-League is vital for Spiranovic, not just for his club reputation, but for his chances of wearing the green and gold at the 2014 World Cup.
The Socceroos start their World Cup qualification in September, and the defender is front a centre for a call up.
Now it all just comes down to performance.
“Making sure I play well is the most important thing (for now). Holger will be overlooking everything,” he said.
“I have been part of the set up for a while. But we want to push the older guys.
“It (then makes) a good headache for the coach to have.”
