TANDO Velaphi’s diary was already full to bursting with international commitments but now he has to pencil in an unscheduled appearance after a senior call up for the Socceroos clash with Singapore.
The Perth Glory goalkeeper is one of two Perth Glory players in the squad for the match on March 22 along with fellow Olyroo Nikolai Topor-Stanley.
Having started in the Under 23s 1-1 draw with Mexico in San Francisco recently, Velaphi is a star on the rise and could yet be the goalkeeper who benefits should Danny Vukovic’s Olympic dream finally be shattered.
As he prepares to head for Singapore in a squad which sees Ante Covic as the other named A-League keeper, Velaphi is still basking in the memories of a big occasion.
Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com the 20-year-old custodian said: “It’s great, to be honest - a really busy time.
“The match we had with the Olyroos in San Francisco was a real experience. There were 47,000 people at the match and to play in that kind of atmosphere was pretty special.
"It was certainly a bit different walking into the ground and there’s thousands and thousands of Mexicans in the car park all having a barbecue.
“I think the boys handled the situation really well and it was something that will stand us in good stead.”
Velaphi’s life is becoming increasingly dominated by international matters. He has the Singapore experience to relish but it is the Olympics which looms large for the former Perth SC youngster.
He said: “At our last meeting with the coach (Graham Arnold) he told us that we had 120 in camp before the Olympics. Every one of those days counts.”
Danny Vukovic missed the match in San Francisco and although Velaphi was handed his chance in the Mariners man’s absence, the Perth Glory man is still anxious to see his rival book a seat on the plane to Beijing.
He said: “It’s very disappointing what’s happened. Danny is a key figure for the Olyroos and a really good character.
“If he doesn’t make it to the Olympics then it’s a blow for sure. We’ve formed a strong bond as a squad and in some ways we’re more like a club side.
"We’ve spent so much time together in the last few months and beyond that. We’ve done well so far and we all want to keep progressing.”
Velaphi and Covic could yet find themselves with added competiton with Adam Federici also being touted for inclusion in forthcoming squads.
Having started in the Under 23s 1-1 draw with Mexico in San Francisco recently, Velaphi is a star on the rise and could yet be the goalkeeper who benefits should Danny Vukovic’s Olympic dream finally be shattered.
As he prepares to head for Singapore in a squad which sees Ante Covic as the other named A-League keeper, Velaphi is still basking in the memories of a big occasion.
Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com the 20-year-old custodian said: “It’s great, to be honest - a really busy time.
“The match we had with the Olyroos in San Francisco was a real experience. There were 47,000 people at the match and to play in that kind of atmosphere was pretty special.
"It was certainly a bit different walking into the ground and there’s thousands and thousands of Mexicans in the car park all having a barbecue.
“I think the boys handled the situation really well and it was something that will stand us in good stead.”
Velaphi’s life is becoming increasingly dominated by international matters. He has the Singapore experience to relish but it is the Olympics which looms large for the former Perth SC youngster.
He said: “At our last meeting with the coach (Graham Arnold) he told us that we had 120 in camp before the Olympics. Every one of those days counts.”
Danny Vukovic missed the match in San Francisco and although Velaphi was handed his chance in the Mariners man’s absence, the Perth Glory man is still anxious to see his rival book a seat on the plane to Beijing.
He said: “It’s very disappointing what’s happened. Danny is a key figure for the Olyroos and a really good character.
“If he doesn’t make it to the Olympics then it’s a blow for sure. We’ve formed a strong bond as a squad and in some ways we’re more like a club side.
"We’ve spent so much time together in the last few months and beyond that. We’ve done well so far and we all want to keep progressing.”
Velaphi and Covic could yet find themselves with added competiton with Adam Federici also being touted for inclusion in forthcoming squads.
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