Socceroos skipper urges Tilio to keep focus
SOCCEROOS captain Mathew Leckie believes the biggest challenge for Melbourne City teammate Marco Tilio is blocking out the noise over the next few weeks as he looks to secure a coveted place in Australia’s World Cup squad.
Tilio has been the subject of much conjecture throughout the opening few weeks of the season, finding himself playing largely from the bench for City despite being a national team regular throughout the year.
The young forward earned his first start of the season in the Melbourne derby on the weekend, playing the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 win, after two substitute appearances in
the opening fortnight. With now only three games until the Cup, continuing to get minutes is an imperative for Tilio.
Leckie, who looks all but set to be on the plane for the third straight time, cited his own experiences in the lead-up to his first World Cup in 2014.
“The biggest issue for him is that there is so much talk about him potentially making it,” Leckie said. “For him, the most important thing is to just put his head down and keep working; every opportunity he gets, take it and not get caught up in what’s being said.
“Because every player is different, everyone takes news differently, but it definitely can play with your mind. We all know what talents Tilio has, he’s a very exciting young talent.”
After a disruptive start to his first season at City, a “more settled” Leckie has backed up a solid end to last campaign with a good run of form in the opening three games of the season.
With the World Cup on the horizon, the 31-year-old is “feeling good” but is personally trying not to look far too ahead.
“After the qualification, the most important thing for me was to think about trying to get as fit as I possibly could and have a good start to the season,” he said.
“I don’t think about it too much. It’s not too far around the corner but we still have three games here, so it still seems like it’s a while away.
“It‘s important to stay healthy … If you pick up an injury, then it’s an issue. (I’m) just trying to do all the right things to stay fit.”