From unselected to jubilation, Duke takes chance to be there for more history
Mitch Duke wasn’t supposed to be a part of this month's Socceroos squad. His room even had a 'Welcome Mat Leckie' greeting in it when he walked in. And yet here he was again, on hand for more history.
Mitch Duke wasn’t supposed to be a part of this Socceroos squad, something reiterated when he walked into his room in Perth and discovered a ‘Welcome Mat Leckie’ greeting waiting in there. But as ever, when opportunity came knocking, the striker was ready to answer. And, again, it’s allowed him to be there for a famous moment in Australian football history.
Introduced as a 68th-minute substitute for Brandon Borrello, Duke brought his trademark hustle and bustle to the Socceroos’ efforts to fashion some semblance of resistance to Japan late on in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday – hurling himself into the fray and winning two free kicks soon after he came on.
In the 90th minute, the 34-year-old saw Riley McGree turn Ayumu Seko and make his way towards the byline and responded by driving towards the near post, waiting for a cross to turn in. When it went behind him, he feared the worst. And then Aziz Behich, on his right peg, bent an effort beyond Kosei Tani in the Samurai Blue goal and scored the goal that all but sent the Socceroos to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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“Just kind of like battling away, my presence with the energy and trying to fight and get forward as much as possible,” he recalled. “And it's funny, because I kind of ran to the near post, and then I saw the ball go behind and I was like 'oh shit, the moment is gone'
“And then Aziz was there, and with his kind of experience at the international level, he did what he needed to do. And thankfully, he was ready for that big opportunity and got us to the win with that goal.
“With that experience at the international level, he didn't get overwhelmed with having that opportunity. He just knew it was a big moment and he had to take it. He did exactly that.
“And it's all about big moments, especially in these games. You want an experienced head at that moment, with that quality, and he was able to do that, and huge for us.”
In the span of less than a week, Duke had gone from expecting to be watching Thursday’s qualifier from back in Tokyo to being on the field for a moment of history.
Just as was the case in March, when an injury to Kusini Yengi saw him called into camp for their trip to China, it took a last-minute injury for the veteran to receive the chance – Leckie sacrificing his chance at a return to the Socceroos to help drive City to an A-League Men title and opening the door for his return.
“It's funny how football works,” he said. “I wasn't supposed to be here. Then Leckie gets injured in the grand final, and I'm the Leckie replacement. I entered my room and it was like 'Welcome Mat Leckie'. I only had five hours' notice to come into camp because I wasn't selected.
“It's funny how it works, because then I'm thinking, Borrello starts, Tags [Adam Taggart] will get his chance. Because I'm maybe just a backup. I love that the boss still has that belief in me to even be that call-in and then to put me on today was amazing.
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“You get to the point where, near the back end of the game, you're almost accepting a draw. And then we get that winner. It's the best feeling in the world. Honestly.”
Yet again, Duke has been there for a monumental moment in Socceroo history. He supplied one of them himself back in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring the long goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Tunisia that helped stabilise the Socceroos after their heavy opening game loss to France and target an upset of Denmark that took them to the knockouts.
He was also there watching on as Andrew Redmayne unleashed the grey Wiggle and helped secure Australia their place in 2022. And now, he had a front row seat as Behich all but punched the Socceroos' tickets to North America next year.
“To play another part in helping Australia qualify for another World Cup, and to do it automatically this time? Unbelievable,” Duke beamed. “I'm getting older. And the last two camps, I haven't been selected first and then there's been an injury – I think players are starting to think I've got a voodoo doll of my teammates, which I don't.
“I'm just all about opportunity, and I'm happy to be involved. And however the boss sees me and what role he wants to use me and to play, I'm going to be ready to give everything. It's the way I play, the way I am. So I'm glad it worked out. I'm so happy to play my part.”