As the youngest member of the Qantas Socceroo squad, Jason Davidson has shown maturity beyond his years in putting his bittersweet international debut against Scotland into perspective.
As the youngest member of the Qantas Socceroo squad, Jason Davidson has shown maturity beyond his years in putting his bittersweet international debut against Scotland into perspective.
Davidson-s elation at following the footsteps of father Alan into a Socceroo shirt soon became a nightmare once the 21-year-old headed into his own net to hand the Scots a 2-1 lead.
The own goal aside, Davidson was a solid performer in his first outing in green and gold, with his follow up selection for the clash against Lebanon and subsequent meeting with Jordan vindication of what he is capable of providing coach Holger Osieck.
“That (the own goal) was a negative to my debut but it happens in football so, you-ve just got to keep pushing forward,” Davidson said.
“But, I think I did well, defended well, the boys were very supportive and I gave it my best and that-s all I can do as a footballer.
“The coach was happy and I-m here again this camp, so I must have done something right.
“Firstly, I-ve got to train well and make sure that the coach sees that I-m working hard and trying to push for a spot.
“It-s the coach-s decision so, if he does give me that chance or, if I do get some game time, I-ve just got to do what I tried to do in Scotland and that-s just play simple and just try to help the team defend well and then attack when I can.”
Domestically, Davidson has returned to the starting 11 at club side Heracles Almelo.
One of the middleweight clubs of the Dutch Eredivisie, Davidson has had more influence in recent weeks as Heracles have begun the process of challenging traditional competition heavyweights Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindoven, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
As recently as Saturday, Davidson completed 90 minutes against RKC Waalwijk - his second straight start of the new season.
“I worked hard through the pre-season to get back and to start playing again and, I-m just happy that the coach has recognised the hard work that I-ve put in,” Davidson said.
“Hopefully I can have a long season with the team and play well and the team do well this season.
“It-s a good standard (the Eredivisie), I was playing in Portugal before that so that was a different type of game, but in Holland, it-s a footballing game, which suits me, I-m a defender that likes to play football.
“I-m happy there and just want to continue playing and doing well.”
The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida, at 8.45pm local time (3.45am AEST, Friday, 7 September) *Note changed time.
Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).
The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.
Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.