Socceroo selection suits Sasa

AFC Footballer of the Year Sasa Ognenovski has described his call-up to the Socceroos’ Asian Cup squad as a ‘great honour and reward’.

Ognenovski, who plays in Korea for Seongnam Ilhwa, received a belated Christmas present from Australian coach Holger Osieck when he was named in the 23-man squad to travel to Qatar next month.

The call-up caps an incredible year for Ognenovski, who captained Seongnam to the AFC Champions League trophy, was named the best footballer in Asia and led his club to fourth in the Club World Cup against a field that included Italian giants Inter Milan.

But the opportunity to represent Australia at a major tournament may be the greatest achievement to date for the 31-year-old, who says he is determined to make the most of his time with the Socceroos.

“It’s massive, a great honour and a reward for the hard work and sacrifices and all that,” Ognenovski told reporters after a friendly training session with the Melbourne Heart on Wednesday.

“To be rewarded with a major tournament is unbelievable for me, and I’ve got to make sure that I take full advantage of it.”

“It’s a big tournament. I know the Koreans are taking it very seriously, and from what I’ve heard the Japanese are too.”

“This year will probably be the most serious (Asian Cup) that has been played yet. I don’t think many of the teams took it too seriously last time around, but I think this time around it’s going to be a bit harder.”

“A lot of the (Australian) boys are leaving clubs that are in difficult situations and heading over for the cause, so I think you’ll see 110 percent effort from everyone.”

Australia nearly missed out on Ognenovski when he was approached by Srecko Katanec with a view to playing for Macedonia, the country of his heritage.

But issues with his eligibility prevented him from playing in a friendly against Moldova last February, and Ognenovski says he is pleased everything has since worked out for the best.

“I was close (to playing for Macedonia),” he said.

“The paperwork didn’t go through, but if it had I probably would have been playing for them.”

“In saying that the coach who wanted me there got sacked after the Holland game (in April 2009), so it probably would have been bad for me.”

“I’m glad it didn’t go through. Given the choice of representing Australia or Macedonia, I wanted to play for Australia. The choice was easy.”

In five years, Ognenovski has gone from playing in the Victorian Premier League to the world stage, but the modest central defender says many in Australia could do the same given the chance.

“I think it’s just opportunity,” he said.

“A lot of the boys that I’ve watched this year from Heart come from the VPL and they’re doing quite well.”

“I was just given the chance. I grabbed it with both hands, took it seriously and started living professionally.”

“I’m always trying to better myself. I’m 31 and I still think I’ve got a hell of a lot more improvement left in me.”

“My body’s fine. I haven’t had any major injuries ever, touch wood. This year I played something like 48 games and I’ve pulled up really well.”

“As long as I’m performing at a good level I’ll keep playing. I don’t want to just come in and play football for the hell of it, I want to perform and I want to win.”