Socceroo Fran Karacic finally visits Australia

Despite having made five appearances for the Socceroos, Croatia-born Karacic had never been to Australia before this week.

And while his priority is to help the Socceroos gain three points on the road to next year’s World Cup in Qatar with a win over Saudi Arabia at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on Thursday night, Karacic was thrilled to visit the New Sydney Zoo on Wednesday, where he was introduced to koala Nelson, and Tamir wallaby joey Bruce.

“It’s a rainy day but it’s beautiful,” said Karacic, who plies his trade for Italian second division club Brescia and qualifies to play for the Socceroos through his Australian-born father.

“It’s my first time .. it’s great. To see Australia, to see Sydney … I’m happy they are bringing some part of Australia to us like the koalas and kangaroos.

“I hope in the next years I’ll have more time to visit Sydney and Australia and spend more time here.”

Accompanying Karacic to the zoo were his Scotland-born teammates Harry Souttar and Martin Boyle, who also qualify to play for the Socceroos via parents born in Australia.

“It’s nice to get out,” said Souttar, who is on just his second visit to Australia.

“I’d like to go see Port Hedland (in Western Australia) where Mum was born.

“That’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do, but with the football schedule, that’s very hard, and with Covid as well, it’s not really feasible.

“One day I hope to get back.”

Souttar hailed the Socceroos’ culture that made him, Karacic and Boyle feel welcome.

“It’s like a big family,” the Stoke City defender said.

The Socceroos’ game on Thursday night is their first in Australia since October 2019, and the emotion hasn’t been lost on the players, according to coach Graham Arnold.

“It’s just so great to be back in Australia,” Arnold said.

“The boys have come into camp with a lot of energy, some of them caught up with their families.

“Bringing the families in (to camp) for the boys to reconnect, I have seen a lot of emotion.

“Some of the players have not seen family for three years, some for 18 months and (they’re) getting rid of that emotion quickly, so controlling that is something I’ve been working on extremely hard.

“I believe the greatest energy that can be given to the players is to see their family, to know that their family is there behind them but also in the grandstand.

“That’s the best energy they can ever have, rather than coming here and not being able to see them until after the game.

“After 763 days, to finally get back and play a home game, it’s going to be a special night.”