Socceroo Mark Milligan admits his dreams as a youngster were modest compared to the incredible career he has enjoyed thus far.

"Back then being at Parramatta, the dream was to play for the first team," he told FourFourTwo 

Leaving Parramatta Melita at the age of 16 to attend the AIS, the dream hadn't lost its simplicity. 

"To be honest, I just wanted to play football, I didn't know how far I would go or where the game would take me, I was just passionate about the game," he said yesterday.

"I just played and gave everything I could."

This has been an approach he has adhered to throughout all his success on the pitch.

Now, 11 years after his first appearance for the national team, the dream remains simple.

There is, however, a significant evolution in the nature of his dream. This time objectives are very clear and very defined...beat Thailand and go to Russia 2018.

He added: "The dream is definitely, at the moment, very short term.

"It's Tuesday night, to be able to be on the pitch when we qualify for another World Cup."

Mark Milligan was speaking at the ‘Made in the Hyundai A-League’ event at Glen Eira FC, an applicant of the Hyundai Goals for Grassroots program. Since 2007, Hyundai Australia has granted over $620,000 to more than 250 local grassroots football clubs across Australia through the ‘Goals for Grassroots’ program.

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