Adam Federici Ecstatic With World Cup Debut

EXCLUSIVE: Socceroo keeper Adam Federici was ecstatic to have kept a clean sheet in his first ever World Cup qualifier in Australia’s 3-0 victory over Oman last night in Sydney.

The match was the Reading keeper’s sixth appearance for the national team since debuting in 2007, but it was his first in a World Cup qualifier.

Federici, 26, was buzzing after the game and told au.fourfourtwo.com that the Roos had more than adequately covered the loss of Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer.

“It’s always great coming back home and it’s a great squad even with people missing, it’s still a very good team, even better maybe?” Federici said with a smile.

“It’s great to get some playing time because with Mark playing six million games it’s hard to get in there.

“But I enjoy coming back and really good to get 90 minutes under my belt.”

Schwarzer's loss through injury opened the door for Reading’s Aussie to step up on the big stage.

And it was a tricky night for the south coast glovesman with Oman only rarely threatening but Federici had to be at his best to repel a free-kick from the edge of the box in the second half.

“It was very difficult because I couldn’t see it. I think in them situations you’ve got to keep your side because it’s very difficult to dip a ball over quite a big wall,” he explained.

“Obviously I saw it late but ddid enough to get a good hand on it. It was a good strike ...I’m sure the last 15 minutes would’’ve been very interesting at 2-1 but thankfully we scored another goal after that which was great.”

The win keeps the Socceroos in the box seat for qualification in third round qualifiers after a 100 percent record so far following wins in September over Thailand (2-1) and Saudi Arabia 3-1.

Federici lauded the esprit de corps of the Socceroos under coach Holger Osieck.

He added: “The team spirit is great. We’ve had a fantastic start but we don’t want to be complacent. We just want to keep it going.

“It’s a great vibe. I’ve said it before, it’s easy to slot into the team because they’re a good bunch of lads."

“There’s a real belief in the squad that we can do well and succeed… and that’s the younger boys pushing the older ones.”