It’s been a massive year for Greek Australian winger Dimi Petratos. As well as starring for Newcastle Jets in the A-League and becoming a dad for the first time, he also made his first Socceroos squad.
Petratos, 25, is currently in Europe with the Socceroos who, in preparation for June’s World Cup in Russia, are playing two international friendlies against Norway and Columbia.
Speaking from the Socceroos camp base in Norway, Petratos says he’s buzzing about being with the Australian national team as it prepares to take on the Norwegians on Saturday morning 4.00 am AEST.
“I’m enjoying myself very much, the players are good, the coaching staff has been good and the camp has been going good so far,” the Jets star revealed.
“It’s very clear what the coach wants. The first session was good and I’m looking forward to being part of the rest of the training sessions.”
Speaking to Australian media soon after he announced his 26-player Socceroos squad, new national team coach Bert van Marwijk, told reporters that the Greek Australian midfielder had impressed him.
“I saw four games in Australia and I saw one interesting game from Newcastle Jets,” the Dutchman revealed.
“And that’s why I nominated (Andrew) Nabbout and Petratos. I am very curious how they perform next week.”
Petratos revealed that when he got the call to join the Socceroos squad he was still in bed.
“I got the text message pretty early in the morning saying the coach had selected you and congratulations,” he says. “It was out of nowhere but a very good feeling. I was on a day off from the Jets so I was still sleeping so when I woke up and saw my name in the squad I was pretty stoked about it.
“I feel really happy that I was announced in the squad, I’m looking forward to it. It’s every Aussie player’s dream to represent their country and hopefully I get the chance to get some game time.”
It’s been a stellar year for Petratos whose form in the domestic competition has seen him deliver his best results in terms of goals and assists. After coming on the bottom of the A-League ladder last season the exciting winger’s nine goals and 10 assists, the second highest in the competition, has lifted Newcastle to second place.
Petratos admitted that his form with the Jets helped him earn his first call-up to the Socceroos.
“After a few games in the A-League this season the media started talking a bit about me being in the Socceroos, but I didn’t pay much attention,” he says.
“I just started to play my game and continued going like I had, and I thought if it happens it happens. I think it also helped just getting the basics right and keeping my head down and getting on with it. I’ve been focused on trying to assist my teammates trying to get on the scoresheet as well and combining on the front third and try the best to entertain the fans.”
Prior to joining the Jets, Petratos was with Korean side Ulsan Hyundai but soon after arriving at the club he found himself on the outer due to a new coach.
With his wife pregnant at the time he found himself at a crossroads.
“I just thought, we’re having a baby and so we’ll go back to Australia and have the baby and come back to Newcastle and just regroup,” he told Neos Kosmos. “Because when I went to Korea it happened so fast. I had 24 hours to decide and had to make the decision quickly. So I came to Newcastle to get myself back on board with the A-League and have a fresh start again and I just worked hard and whatever happened along the way was just a bonus.”
The two Socceroos friendly games are an opportunity for fringe players like Petratos to highlight their credentials ahead of the World Cup in Russia and the winger is hoping to be on the plane come June.
“It’s a dream to play for the Aussie team,” he says. “But I’ll just take it one step at a time. It’s great experience being involved with the training sessions and the two games so I’m looking forward to it. I just hope to go with the flow really. I just go to go out and do my best and whatever happens, happens.”