Antonis honoured by camp call-up

It’s been a baptism of fire for Sydney FC youngster Terry Antonis. Thrown into the Sky Blues’ attack among such players as Brett Emerton and Nick Carle, the promising 18-year-old has been given a chance few young players do – but no one in the game doubts Antonis has the ability to succeed.

It-s been a baptism of fire for Sydney FC youngster Terry Antonis. Thrown into the Sky Blues- attack among such players as Brett Emerton and Nick Carle, the promising 18-year-old has been given a chance few young players do - but no one in the game doubts Antonis has the ability to succeed.

With Sydney coach Vitezslev Lavicka already behind him, this week Qantas Socceroos coaching staff have the chance to run their eye over the one of the most highly rated prospects in the domestic game, calling the youngster up for the two-day national team training camp taking place in Sydney this week.

Footballaustralia.com.au caught up with Antonis as he prepared for his time in camp, and asked him what it was like having the chance to play alongside some of the biggest names in Australian football.

What are you looking to get out of this week-s camp? It-s a great honour to be selected in a camp like this with so many other really good players. All I want to do is show the coaches what I can do and put my best efforts into the training sessions.

Congratulations also on getting selected in the Qantas Young Socceroos squad for the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers. Having been to the last World Cup in Colombia, I-m really excited about qualifying for the next one in Turkey. But first we have to get through the Asian qualification process and I-m looking forward to doing that again. There are few boys in the squad who went to the U-17 World Cup in Mexico so hopefully we can use that experience to get through the group.

You-ve had a great start to the Hyundai A-League season, how have you enjoyed it? After coming back from the World Cup, I had a little break, but then it was a pretty big pre-season with Sydney FC. Starting that first match against Melbourne Victory was exciting and fortunately it didn-t take too long to get used to the pace of the match. Three games in now and I-m feeling more comfortable and definitely adjusting to the jump from youth to senior football.

What-s it like playing alongside Brett Emerton and Nick Carle? I-ve been watching them since I was 4-5 years old in the NSL when they used to play for Sydney Olympic, so playing with them now is amazing. Just asking them for the ball is special as I used to watch those guys and ask for their autographs. It-s an amazing thrill to train with them and play with them. I-ve got nothing else to say - it-s a dream come true.