Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Ante Suto has always felt Australian, in his head and his heart.
Growing up in Croatia, in a small village of 2000 people, that’s what set him apart: his childhood friends called him “kangaroo” and would teasingly refer to him as Anthony, the anglicised version of his legal name.
But until this week – his first camp with the Socceroos – he’d never even set foot on Australian soil.
“All I can say is it’s much more beautiful than in Scotland – much better weather,” he said, in a thick-ish Croatian accent. “I’m happy to be here.”
Scotland is where Suto, a 25-year-old centre forward, plays his club football for Hibernian – and his form there, with three goals and an assist from seven games since his transfer last month, suddenly has him in the frame to become a Socceroo and, quite possibly, play at the World Cup.
Suto’s father, Anthony – that’s his legal name – was born in Melbourne to a Croatian family. A former footballer himself, albeit at lower levels, he studied there, worked there, became a fan of the Melbourne Knights in the old NSL, and only moved back after falling in love with a woman (Ante’s mum) on holiday in Croatia. He’s not returned to Australia since.
But because of that heritage, Suto has always known he was eligible to play for the Socceroos, and was hoping it would happen one day.
That day has arrived, much earlier than he had anticipated.
“I’ve always been Australian in my head,” he said. “And to be here, I didn’t think it’s going to be happening this quickly, because one month ago, I was in Croatia playing football. Two years ago, I was in the second division. So yeah, this is an unbelievable feeling.
“I’m so excited to be here because … I decided to be here with my heart, and I’m going to be playing for the Socceroos with my heart. It’s special for me because a lot of Australian legends have heritage in Croatia. Hopefully I’ll be another one like them.”
Indeed, Suto knows his history. He has great memories of watching the Socceroos play at the World Cup as a kid – although he does concede that, when they met in 2006, he was supporting Croatia, not Australia. But he was only six, so we can probably forgive him.
A couple of those Australian-Croatian legends he once idolised are now his bosses.
Coach Tony Popovic, intrigued by his performances for Croatian top-flight side Slaven Belupo, was arranging to watch him in person. Then, a few days later, Suto was sold to Hibs for a reported $850,000 transfer fee.
“Unlucky for that,” Suto said.
So Suto had to settle for a visit from former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak, Popovic’s newly appointed assistant, who came to Edinburgh to have dinner with him and speak about the possibility of a call-up for this March window – the last before the team assembles in the United States before the World Cup.
“I was starstruck at first, because he’s a big legend here,” Suto said.
“We were not just talking about football, we were talking about everything. He’s a chill guy, relaxed, and I was so happy to be with him, to spend some time with him. And yeah, he told me some things.”
When he was officially named in Popovic’s 26-man squad, it’s difficult to know who was happier: Suto or his old man.
“He was crazy about it,” Suto said. “He didn’t sleep too much.
“I know how excited he is and how happy he is. I was on a video call with him the day that happened. He couldn’t hide his smile … [despite] the time difference in Croatia – but he’s awake all the time, just asking questions, wants to hear from me. They are super excited, my whole family.”
Strange as it is, Suto’s story is not unprecedented. Scottish-born Martin Boyle and Harry Souttar both visited Australia for the first time on international duty with the Socceroos – as did Fran Karacic, another Croatian with Aussie heritage.
Deni Juric, on the other hand, was born in Sydney but hasn’t been home in about 12 years – not since his older brother, Tomi, played for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Like Suto, he is in line for what would be his first cap for Australia. And for him, the opportunity would have just as much meaning. Tomi was capped 41 times, went to the 2018 World Cup with the Socceroos and, most famously, set up the goal scored by James Troisi that won them the 2015 AFC Asian Cup final.
“It was always a privilege to watch him put on that jersey,” Deni said.
“Every time he put it on it was like I was wearing the jersey. Obviously, it’s been a dream for him and myself to play for the Socceroos – and just to see him playing for them is a privilege for me, just to say my brother was able to play for the Socceroos.”
Deni, 28, has long been touted as a future Socceroo, but like Tomi, 34, his career, spent with various clubs in Eastern Europe, has been interrupted by injury; even his first call-up in November had to end early because he suffered an injury in camp.
But he’s been banging in the goals lately for Polish club Wisła Płock, and he has the chance to push his case for the World Cup, in the absence of Australia’s first-choice striker Mohamed Toure.
“If you don’t believe in yourself, mate, then there’s no point,” Deni said. “I’ve got that belief in me, that I can bring something different to the team. Head down, work hard, and if I get my chance, I hope I can prove myself to the boss.“
