Perth Glory defender Josh Risdon hopes to play for Australia.
Camera IconPerth Glory defender Josh Risdon hopes to play for Australia. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Risdon aims for Socceroos spot

Mark DonaldsonWanneroo Times

Risdon's powerful long-range drive in the dying stages of the 3-2 win over Western Sydney at Perth Oval sealed Glory's first victory after a winless nine-game streak.

It was only the second goal of his career in what is proving to be one of his best seasons since debuting in 2010.

The 22-year-old will be hoping Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou caught vision of his match- winner as he looks to strengthen his case for national selection.

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Risdon was not named in the Australian sides to face Germany and Macedonia in recent friendlies but found himself on Postecoglou's radar when he was named in the provisional Asian Cup squad at the end of last year.

While his role is not that of a goal scorer, highlights like the one he produced against the Wanderers will do no harm.

Speaking last Thursday, he told the Weekender he had been enjoying his strong form in 2014-15 after spending long stints on the sidelines with injury last season.

He said he would like to think he was not too far away from a national debut.

"I just need to perform week in, week out consistently and hopefully my time comes," he said. �That (Asian Cup consideration) was massive, I didn't expect it.

"But it just goes to show" you can make the squad from the A-League because it's just getting bigger and better.�

While a rise in profile is an exciting time for an athlete, it can act as a double-edged sword, which Risdon learnt when he was arrested with striker Andy Keogh while the team was in Adelaide in February.

Risdon's charge of failing to follow a police direction has since been dropped but he has not forgotten the scrutiny he faced over the incident.

"It was pretty hard, seeing your name and face in the paper front and back two days in a row," he said. �I don't want to put my name out there like that again.

"It affects my family and my friends" so definitely a lesson learnt.�

Risdon is yet another success story of ECU Joondalup's pathway program, with former players Rhys Williams and Adam Taggart also in national calculations.

Taggart famously featured in Australia's World Cup side, while Williams has made 14 appearances in the green and gold, his last in 2013.

Risdon's Glory teammate Rostyn Griffiths is also a former Jack and holds the record as the most expensive A-League player sold to an overseas club. Chinese club Guangzhou bought the tall midfielder for $1.3 million from the Central Coast Mariners in 2012.