Youngest player dared to dream

TEEN Socceroos bolter Daniel Arzani revealed that he was confident of going to this World Cup six months ago, when he had not even started a senior A-League game.

Arzani, 19, will be the youngest of the 736 players competing in Russia after Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk picked him in the final 23.

January 10 was Arzani’s first Melbourne City start, days after coming on and turning and setting up Ross McCormack twice, and he went on to win the young player of the year award.

Underlining the power of positive thinking, Arzani made the bold Russia 2018 prediction to his brother last December.

“I know it sounds absurd because it’s so out there, but it’s always the way I thought — I’ve always had a positive outlook on things and always had a lot of belief in myself,’’ Arzani said.

“To be completely honest, I was thinking about playing in the World Cup about two years ago. I was always very confident in myself and had very high expectations. It was always a dream and goal of mine and something I thought was possible.

“But thinking something’s possible and then it becoming probable is very different.

“When I started getting a couple of games under my belt and getting a bit of friction then I was really looking towards it and hoping I could make the final cut. I’m absolutely stoked to have made the final cut, looking forward to it. It’s a World Cup, now I’m amazed I’m here.”

Arzani concedes it is extraordinary to think he could feature against France after playing state league and youth league level just six months ago.

“It’s ridiculous when you think about it like that, but there’s a backstory to it,’’ he said. “A lot of hard work has gone into it and you’re just waiting to get your opportunity.”