LISTEN TO 442FM IN KAZAN!

  SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES HERE  

The Wanderers’ campaign never really got going, with Tony Popovic departing for Turkey on the eve of the season and the club cycling through three coaches.

Western Sydney eventually finished seventh, missing the finals, and winning just eight of 27 matches. Josip Gombau was sacked in April with German Markus Babbell appointed as his replacement.

Risdon was a constant for the Wanderers, making 18 appearances at right back when not on international duties.

He admits last season was a “rollercoaster” to deal with, but his focus now is purely on Russia and the Socceroos.

“It was obviously a tough season,” the defender admitted.

“The timing of the first coach to leave [Popovic] wasn’t ideal, but yeah, that happens everywhere. Coaches come and go everywhere all the time. But it was a rollercoaster for us, we’d win a couple of games and then we weren’t consistent.

“The season I had… it was good to get back in the Socceroos’ set-up and earn myself a spot in this squad for the World Cup. It’s been an up and down season, but a positive season for myself obviously where I’ve ended up now.

“The focus on this World Cup now is a dream come true. I’m focusing on that at the moment.”