Young gun found his smarts on the street
SOCCEROO Daniel Arzani was born in Iran and would not look out of place among the Lions of Persia side that stunned Morocco in their World Cup opener.
Arzani’s heart was “pumping” with Aussie pride when he came off the bench to make his World Cup debut in a 2-1 defeat to France in Kazan.
The tournament’s youngest player attributes his “cocky” reputation to hours of playing street football in his native Khorramabad.
“A lot of it,” Arzani said yesterday when asked how street football helped forge a natural confidence that has given Australians another reason to believe ahead of a crucial match against Denmark tomorrow.
“Growing up playing in the streets you have to have that, or else you get eaten alive by the other boys.
“I think that’s where I get a lot of it from.”
Born in January 1999, Arzani was six years old when his family moved to Australia.
The rest – dreaming of becoming a professional, coming through an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) program and signing for A-League side Melbourne City in 2016 – is history. Although “really happy” for his native Iran, Arzani wants to make his own mark for Australia.
“We left Iran because my parents wanted a better life for me and my brother,” said Arzani, whose maiden international goal, an impressive right-foot strike from the left edge of the area, came in a recent 2-1 friendly over Hungary. “To represent the country that helped us is special.”
With slick dribbling skills and a keen eye for goal, Arzani is already being talked of as the next Harry Kewell. He said Australia great Tim Cahill has been among his biggest influences in the lead-up to Russia.