27-02-2010

AUSTRALIAN World Cup hopeful Adam Federici admits his midweek howler was a learning curve for him but has promised to continue to improve.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper, who has done well in his first season as Reading's number one stopper, let slip Robert Koren's speculative effort in the Royals' 3-2 FA Cup replay win over West Bromwich on Wednesday.

Federici's mistake was an inexplicable error which looked to have handed Albion the initiative before the Royals rallied late with stoppage-time and extra-time goals, to claim a spot in the quarter-finals and a home match against Aston Villa.

But Federici insists he'll be bigger and better from the error as he continues to adjust to life as a number one goalkeeper.

"It's a hard one, I don't like making mistakes. I'm a young 'keeper and still learning in my first full season in charge," he said.

"Hopefully I can keep going in the right direction, working hard and it will all come.

"I feel I've been in good form of late and it was not an easy night for goalkeepers, neither myself nor Scotty (Carson) held much.

"I got the yorker through my hands but thankfully the boys got me out of trouble and I obviously said thanks afterwards for what I thought was a good all-round team performance."

Despite the mistake, Federici showed maturity by getting his focus back on the job.

"In that situation you just try to get it to the back of your mind. You've got to keep concentrating and not let it affect you.

"I had a few more shots and backpasses with the crowd on your back but it's part of being a goalkeeper."

And the Nowra-born goalkeeper, who memorably rescued a draw for the Royals with a goal from a set-piece in late 2008, fancied his chances of making amends.

"I also wanted to score and when I got the call to go up for a corner late on I wanted to put it right.

"Penalties went through my head as well and as I say I just wanted to put it right"

24-02-2010

MELBOURNE Heart-bound goalkeeper Clint Bolton believes he can still force himself into Pim Verbeek's World Cup plans as a back up for Socceroos custodian Mark Schwarzer.

Bolton has enjoyed an excellent A-League season for Sydney FC and been rewarded with a call up to the national squad for next week's Asian Cup qualifier in Brisbane.

The likes of Adam Federici, Michael Petkovic, Brad Jones and Eugene Galekovic are also in the mix but Bolton hopes to use this week's camp to stake his own claim.

"There's a couple of spots up for grabs for South Africa and if I perform to what I'm capable of, then the possibility's there for me to go to South Africa," said Bolton.

"Apart from Schwarzy, any other keepers can make that squad and I'm excited by that prospect. I've had a good year. On the back of that I know I can push for a position."

Bolton has been out of the international frame for some time and hadn't previously caught the eye of Verbeek.

23-02-2010

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is interested in signing Reading’s Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici , according to the Daily Mirror.

The 24 year-old has made the number one slot at the Madejski Stadium his own this season and starred in Reading’s FA Cup defeat of Liverpool. Tottenham boss Redknapp has reportedly been impressed enough to line him up as competition for Heurelho Gomes.

Federici came to England and signed for Reading in 2005. He made several substitute appearances in the Premier League during Reading’s time in the top flight. Bizarrely, Federici suffered an injury setback while on loan at Maidenhead, breaking an ankle having fallen down a well on his way back from a nightclub.

The Australian stopper attracted interest from Liverpool last month and recently said, "I want to play in the Premier League and I believe I will one day – whether it is with Reading or somewhere else.

"There has been a fair bit of interest from all over the place."

Federici would reportedly cost Tottenham around £2million to bring him to White Hart Lane.

19-02-2010

Spurs reported to be watching Royals shot-stopper

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici has admitted that he wants to play in the Premier League amid reports linking him with Tottenham.

The Australian has been with the Royals since 2004, but has only become a first-team regular with the Championship club this season.

Federici was rumoured to be a target of Liverpool in the winter transfer window and Tottenham are now being credited with an interest in the 24-year-old.

Spurs lost out on Asmir Begovic to Stoke after ending interest in the ex-Portsmouth man's former team-mate David James and remain keen on a shot-stopper.

Federici has hinted that he might be interested in a move, saying in The Sun: "I want to play in the Premier League and believe I will one day, whether it's with Reading or somewhere else."

16-02-2010

ADELAIDE United's talented shot-stopper Eugene Galekovic claimed successive Keeper of the Year trophies at the A-League awards in Sydney last night.g

Melbourne Victory's impressive Costa Rican Carlos Hernandez was the major winner, becoming just the second import to win the Johnny Warren medal.

And former Adelaide striker Shane Smeltz took out the coveted Golden Boot.

Galekovic's award topped off an outstanding season for a goalkeeper who played for the A-League's wooden spooners.

The custodian made 102 saves in 27 A-League matches for the Reds - 15 more than second-placed Danny Vukovic, of Central Coast, and 21 better than Sydney FC's Clint Bolton.

Galekovic looks to have edged a step closer to winning a Socceroos' World Cup berth in South Africa after last night's success.

He is a strong chance to be named in the Australian squad to face Indonesia in the final game of the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers at Suncorp Stadium on March 3.

12-02-2010

Adam Federici wants a return to Wembley, but this time he’s eyeing a place on the pitch and not in the stands.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper earned a trip to the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United after he was named player of the fourth round thanks to an impressive 1-1 draw with United at Old Trafford back in January 2007.

West Brom stand in Reading’s way of making this season’s quarter-finals, where they would be just one win away from playing at the hallowed turf in the last four of the competition.

Reminiscing about his dream ticket in premium hospitality seats with goalkeeping coach and mentor Sal Bibbo, the Australian international is hungry for another visit to the home of football.

Federici said: “The day I went to the final was amazing. It’s a fantastic place and I was sitting their thinking ‘wow’.

“I want to play there, it was hard to watch from the stands as I just wanted to be involved in it. It would be great to get through this weekend and be within touching distance of Wembley.

“It’s been whispered around the place, at the moment most of our concerns are on the league, but it would be fantastic to get through.

“It would be a tremendous achievement for the year and make a worthwhile season, it would be a fantastic honour.”


Royals’ cup form has kick-started their season in the Championship on the back of two Premier League scalps against Liverpool and then Burnley.

“The pressure is off a bit, West Brom are top of the table and will be looking to win and we’ll be the underdogs again,” continued Federici.

“But that’s good for us as we’ll go out there and enjoy the game, I’m sure we’ll have a good go at it and look forward to knocking them out.

“There’s a bit more freedom in the cup games to express yourselves and I think we’ve enjoyed that as you can see from the results we’ve had.

“We’ve been playing really well recently, the start of the year was a new era for us and we’ve got back to the ways where we’re hard to beat now, especially at home.”

A third cleansheet in 2010 would also mean a lot to Federici who is set to face his old Reading team-mate Simon Cox.

Cox and Federici spent a couple of seasons on the same team as part of Royals’ reserve teams, but the 6ft 2ins keeper will be desperate to walk off the pitch with the bragging rights at the end of the game.

He added: “I know him quite well, he’s a good chap and a good player and if he plays against us he’ll be handful.

“He probably had to move here to further his career and he’s doing well there.”