After a flying 24-hour visit to collect his wife and baby son, Nick flew off this afternoon from Sydney to start his new life with Turkish Super League club, Genclerbirligi.

But before he boarded the flight, he sat down for an exclusive chat with au.fourfourtwo.com about the Socceroos’ Asian Cup campaign.

“People talk about the conditions and it was hot, but the major factor is the timing of the Asian Cup," he said.

"You’ve got guys coming in on the back of a tough season in Europe and playing in the World Cup last year and they needed a month off.

"They need a break. And so the Asian Cup is played early in their off-season.

“Then you’ve go the A-League guys who haven’t played a game for five or six months."

The J-League is in mid-season when the Asian Cup comes around and it's little wonder they've won the last three out of the last four Cups...and appear on the verge of a fourth.

Nick added: "The training was brilliant, Anthony Crea and the fitness team really got us fit but just playing one game – against Singapore – it showed.

“But you could see, we were getting better with each game.”

Carle was also “disappointed” with criticism from certain sections of the media concerning the squad’s performance in Asia.

“All the guys gave up their holiday time to be there," he said."They gave 100 percent. It’s a credit to them.

"These guys don’t need the Asian Cup to help them get a big contract. They’re already at big clubs. They showed a lot of character in that last game."

That said, 25-year-old Carle has thoroughly enjoyed making inroads into the national team. “All the older guys like Harry made it real comfortable and welcoming to us younger, new guys.

“And when you’re asked to do a job, you do it for the team’s sake. When I came on against Japan, it was more about doing a defensive job,” he says of his late arrival on the park as the 10-man Socceroos desperately tried to stay in the game against Japan.

“The whole thing was a good learning experience,” the reigning A-League Player of the Year and former Newcastle Jet added. “Next time, we’ll have to do a lot more preparation.”

But Carle disagreed with the idea that the Socceroos’ Asian Cup squad should be largely A-League-based in future rather than being selected from the “European” Aussies.

"The A-League’s been brilliant and it’s helped me get to where I am now. But I believe you pick the best team available."

Carle – who scored a penalty against Japan – also believes the Blue Samurai will overcome Saudi Arabia in the semi finals tonight in Hanoi and go on to win the trophy. “Definitely. They’re quality and they keep possession so well.”

Carle was also quick to put his hand up for the Socceroos’ prestige clash with Argentina in Melbourne on September 11. “It’s a FIFA date so I’ll be there if I’m selected,” he promised.

But for now, Carle is looking forward to being selected for his new club.

While Carle has been keeping fit in Asia, Genclerbirligi has been based in Austria playing pre-season games against Arsenal, FC Cologne and Mlada Boleslav of the Czech Republic.

Bizarrely, Plymouth Argyle has also been playing in the same tournament and played Carle’s new club last night in Sochau.

The side will return to Turkey for training on July 26, when the Socceroo will join his new teammates before the new Turkish season kicks off on August 8.

“I feel great. I feel fit. All I need now is match fitness,” Carle added