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Twenty-three-year-old Gauci has been a near-fixed feature in Adelaide United coach Carl Veart\u2019s team since he joined the club in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gauci comes into January\u2019s tournament having made one of the highest number of saves in the ALM competition at 37.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said a place in the squad for Australia’s trip to Qatar is something he has been targeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gauci was 15 years old when Australia won the Asian Cup in 2015, and he recalls Massimo Luongo\u2019s opener against South Korea in the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wants to recreate a similar feeling now he\u2019s in the squad as a player eight years on in what has already been a proud moment for the young goalkeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s the biggest competition outside the World Cup that Australia can play in, so a real proud moment now to be involved and looking to create some more memories this time around,\u201d Gauci admitted, speaking to AUFC Media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just found out [was in the squad] through a message this morning [Friday].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019ve been aiming towards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cComing towards the end of the year, I reflect on the year, and I think at the start of the year, I wouldn\u2019t have thought I\u2019d be in the position that I am now, so I\u2019m very grateful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor me, it was to come back to Adelaide [after the November window] and just knuckle down and focus on my performances and hopefully do well enough to get the call-up, which I\u2019ve been able to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was in the squad for Australia\u2019s November window, where he sat on the bench for the side\u2019s first two World Cup qualification matches, and he said that type of prior experience will hold him in good stead for January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou get to know the players, know the staff and other coaches. So it\u2019s a very familiar feeling from camp to camp. It\u2019s easier to go in a bit more settled and probably not as nervous,\u201d Gauci said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australian captain and starting goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is facing a race to be fit for the Cup following cheekbone surgery earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Graham Arnold eased fears in his earlier squad announcement, saying that he should be fit for the start of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe information I\u2019m getting from the medical team and Maty\u2019s bought a beautiful mask, I do believe he will be fine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaty is always someone who is completely focused and ready for those type of things and he\u2019s heading back to Australia to have probably a week\u2019s break. This time next week, he\u2019ll be back in the gym working and being able to do some exercise and then by the time we get into Abu Dhabi for the pre-camp, he\u2019ll be back doing one-on-one goalkeeper training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe probably won\u2019t be ready for the friendly against Bahrain, but I imagine he could be ready for the India game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it is anticipated the experienced saver will be fit for the tournament, there is a chance Gauci could get a run for the Socceroos next month if there is a setback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Gauci explained that he isn\u2019t thinking about that and is focused on doing his best to represent the country regardless of whether he\u2019s playing or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not something that I\u2019ve thought about [playing in the Cup]. My role is to go in and represent my country, whether that\u2019s on the field or off the field. I\u2019ll give it 100{d27fecd2aab8556c4f94c40a7029c11f3747289a19d4761b6980018407b307cc} in every training session, every game to wear the coat of arms with pride,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatever my role is with the Asian Cup, I will be giving 100{d27fecd2aab8556c4f94c40a7029c11f3747289a19d4761b6980018407b307cc}.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia will take on Bahrain in a friendly in early January in preparation for the Asian Cup Qatar 2024 before playing India in their group opener a few days later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023\u2122 – Australia’s Group B Matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Australia v India<\/strong> Syria v Australia<\/strong>
Date: Saturday, 13 January 2024
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Kick-off: 2:30pm local, 10:30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast:<\/strong> Network 10 and Paramount+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Date: Thursday, 18 January 2024
Venue: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: 2:30pm local, 10:30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast:<\/strong> Network 10 and Paramount+<\/p>\n\n\n\n