http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/10/07/joeys-skipper-caletti-prepared-daunting-group-under-17-world-cup

[size=7]Joeys skipper Caletti prepared for daunting group at Under-17 World Cup[/size]

[size=3] Caletti captained the Joeys in recent internationals (FOOTBALL FEDERATION AUSTRALIA)[/size]

[size=5]The Joeys flew out today for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup and Joe Caletti, the team's regular captain in the build-up to the tournament, said the squad couldn't be better prepared for the difficult task ahead.[/size]

[size=3]By Greg Prichard
7 Oct 2015 - 1:31 PM UPDATED 10 HOURS AGO[/size]

[size=4]Australia is in Group C, alongside Germany, Argentina and Mexico, for the tournament, to be played in Chile from 17 October to 8 November.

"It has been a very good preparation," Caletti said. "We've done everything we can to prepare well. We've been playing in the National Youth League and the Canberra league and we went on a tour in France last month and that was really good for us. We played the USA, a top French club team and France itself and that really helped get us ready for the World Cup."

Caletti said that drawing a heavyweight group was not something to fear, but to embrace: "It is a tough group, but that makes it even more exciting," he said. "I think it all depends on our first game against Germany. If we go out with a good game plan, which I know we have, we'll be confident and if we can get past Germany we'll have every chance of doing well from there."

Caletti, 17, has a long history in representative football and has been developed as a number six under Joeys coach Tony Vidmar. The youngster, who is from Dural in the north-west of Sydney but has been living in Canberra as part of the FFA's Centre of Excellence squad for the last two years, said the experience had been great for him as a player and a person.

"I'm very happy with my football," Caletti said. "I feel confident about my ability to take on a World Cup. Everything is at a peak at the moment. Being away from home makes you grow up quickly. You have to look after yourself and become more responsible and get into a routine. You don't have mum to hold your hand anymore and I think that's part of the program."

"Regardless of what happens from here, that experience of being disciplined and aiming at achieving something is going to be great for all of the players in the squad in our lives."

Caletti, whose tremendous close control and ability to run the ball through traffic are among his best assets, said he had the freedom to take the ball forward under the right circumstances: "They play me as a six, but they like me to go forward," he said. "It's OK for me to do that, but I've got to make sure there is someone covering for me. I think it's a natural part of how I play. I like to take the ball forward, but I'm always looking to find someone else to connect with along the way, if that's the best option. I'm happy to get an assist."

Caletti and the other members of the squad are approaching the start of the adult stage of their careers and how well they perform in the World Cup could have a huge bearing on what type of opportunities they get beyond that.

"Our contract finishes in January and hopefully after that we get offers from clubs and get picked up," Caletti said.


"I've got to make plans for my own future after this. It depends how I go in the World Cup and whether I can attract interest from clubs here or whether I can get some interest overseas. That could be an option as well.

"It's a massive tournament for everyone in the squad, so we really want to put on a show."

Asked what his best advice was for promising players in their early teens, Caletti focused on what he believed had taken him this far: "What I would say is that you've got to train hard all the time and be ready all the time, because you might only get one opportunity to impress someone," he said. "You've got to be ready to take that opportunity. You've got to put 100 per cent into training."

"This World Cup is where I've got to perform. This is my time, my chance, and if I didn't train hard I wouldn't be in the position where I have this opportunity."[/size]

[size=3]Date - Match - Venue - Kick-Off AEST/AEDT*
18-10-2015 - Australia v Germany - Estadio Municipal Nelson Oyarzún Arenas, Chillán - 7:00am*
21-10-2015 - Australia v Mexico - Estadio Municipal Nelson Oyarzún Arenas, Chillán - 10:00am*
24-10-2015 - Argentina v Australia - Estadio Municipal Nelson Oyarzún Arenas, Chillán - 8:00am*[/size]

Mmmmmm, I watched that French game .............
Good luck to them at WC , they have got nothing to lose , if they play high and pressure the good teams they could be a chance ,must play again very high tempo for full 90 , that may be their downfall .
We shall see

You don't think any of the players from the under 17s could step up to the young socceroos set up?

They looked quite promising from what i've seen from them.

One has already stepped up Barca, Nicolas D'agostino is 17 and played in the u19 v Phillipines game and came on very late v Japan. I may be wrong and apologies if i am but i believe he wasnt included in the u17 world cup squad but Okon selected him for the u19. This is possibly an indication of the difference in quality between the 2 groups.

Any word of if anybody will be picking up these games in Australia?

You know more than me then, three players not considered good enough for u17s but in the u19s squad suggests that in the eyes of the coaches the u17s are of a better standard.

Indeed, the fact that they selected Nicholas D'Agostino in the U19 Squad, a player who just didn't make the cut for the Joeys WC squad - if that talent just outside the best possible squad saw promotion to the next gen U19s, then I'm certain the best performers/developers from this WC Joeys group will also shoot up to U19 level, ASAP.

Didn't he get signed by brisbane after spending 1 year at ais?

SBS will be telecasting the games. ;)

Edit: Well I'm fairly sure they are, I came across it somewhere and they certainly have in the past, like with Dylan Tombides' Joeys generation (RIP).

They sadly haven't promulgated it too much though - if they really are, then spruik so, on TWG, in a blog, press release or something?! ](*,)

Yeap, they are: http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/tv/02/57/94/16/fifau-17worldcupchile201504092015_neutral.pdf

Edited by GloryPerth: 8/10/2015 05:34:01 PM

Hahaha , maybe there should be a play off to see who goes to Bahrain .
That's that problem with football in this country , we always trying to push the younger age groups above their age , time after time it's a fail ,
Play 2 yrs up and your the next maradonna !
In the real world it don't happen , sorry :(

2-0 down 60 minutes in

Fucking fantastic. Overhaul needed.

And it could have been a lot worse too, the South Koreans should have scored more than 2 goals in this match, lucky it only finished 2-0.

Like the Socceroos, the Olyroos have got some big problems too.

And it could have been a lot worse too, the South Koreans should have scored more than 2 goals in this match, lucky it only finished 2-0.

Like the Socceroos, the Olyroos have got some big problems too.

Is that fraud Vidmar still in charge?