Mark Rudan looking to enhance Socceroo chances

Sydney FC captain, Mark Rudan, is relishing a meeting with newly selected Socceroo Archie Thompson in the Hyundai A-League season opener against Melbourne Victory at Aussie Stadium on Sunday as he still harbours his own hopes of a National Team call up.

Rudan, the central defender will lead the Sydney club onto Aussie Stadium for its inaugural match eager to play well against one of Guus Hiddink’s 22-man squad with some of the National Team staff watching in the grandstands ahead of the Socceroo camp in Sydney next week.

“Obviously Sunday is a big game and that is the priority but it is always good when you play the best players because you get judged well if you perform,” Rudan said.

“Archie Thompson is a quality striker and hopefully I can play well, shut him down a little, and the right people may notice the work I do.

“Playing for Australia at full international is still something that drives me and something I aspire too. I have played with guys who have been there, like Steve Corica and Zdrilla (David Zdrilic) and now Sasho (Petrovski) and every time they come back it makes me even more hungry.”

Rudan’s belief that a call up is possible was lifted significantly this week when team mate Sasho Petrovski was called up into the 22-man squad for the World Cup Qualifiers against the Solomon Islands early next month.

Petrovski was spotted by Hiddink playing for Sydney FC and took his chance. Rudan is hoping to do the same in the coming months but knows the only way to do it is to perform for his club.

“I think Sash has been a great example, not just to me, but every player in the A League. If you play well in this league you can get noticed because you are in front of people. The rest is up to us as players. Playing in some of the places I have been (China and Malaysia) you are out of sight so no coach is going to pick you if he can’t see you play.”

Rudan will be making a return to the Sydney FC side when they take on Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon after he missed most of the World Club Championships and Pre Season Cup with a hamstring injury but the defender is raring to go.

“I feel great. I can’t wait to get out there and wear this shirt (Sydney FC) in a competition game with the guys we have been training so hard with over the last six months,” Rudan said.

“We have built a very strong team spirit here and we can’t wait for Sunday.”