3 minute read
Joe Gauci is the Socceroos' current first-choice goalkeeper but knows Maty Ryan and Paul Izzo are hot on his heels and his spot isn't guaranteed.
Joe Gauci is Australia's current first-choice goalkeeper, but knows that could change any moment.
But the Socceroo likes it that way.
Gauci, who has started all three games of Tony Popovic's tenure after dislodging captain Maty Ryan, claimed his first clean sheet in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia.
The 24-year-old feels the support of Ryan, benched at Italian club Roma, and fellow No.1 Paul Izzo, the first-choice goalkeeper at Danish club Randers.
"Just being involved in the camps, it's such a privilege to be here ... to be able to work with, Maty, with Paul (Izzo), learn off them," he said.
"And at the end of the day, whoever gets the nod we're going to support them fully. And I'm very grateful that I've been given the opportunity.
"I've definitely not been perfect, but I'm really loving being able to play for the national team and work on my craft and show some improvement and hopefully continue to build.
"It's obviously my goal to hold down the spot, but I fully understand that we've got a lot of great keepers in Australia. We've got two of them here, and there's multiple that aren't here, that are doing great things.
"So I have to keep working hard and progressing my game. Nothing's promised, is all I'll say."
The Saudis had a late goal disallowed after an offside Ali Al-Bulayhi was ruled to have obstructed the Australian goalkeeper.
"I'm not usually someone to wave my arms about," he said.
"But when it went in, I think, you know if I'm reacting to it, it's a good indication that he was obstructing."
Gauci made some strong saves but will look to step up a notch, especially after some shaky moments playing out from the back, if selected against Bahrain on Wednesday morning AEDT.
He is loving life at Aston Villa where he is behind Argentina star Emi Martinez, but has experienced some cup football.
"I don't think anyone expected me to go to Villa and be playing week in, week out," he said.
"When you've got back-to-back best keeper in the world, you have to be realistic about things.
"But it was the right step for me to make and I'm loving it. I'm about eight or nine months in now and I feel like I'm developing my game and I'm getting better as a goalkeeper and as a person.
"As a player I feel more calm and composed and the opportunities that I've had at Villa have been fantastic.
"I didn't expect them to come this early, but I'm loving being able to get opportunities and I hope I can get more."