Striker Jason Cummings saw his post match interview derailed by his Australia teammates after netting his first goal for the Socceroos.
The former Scotland international, who had previously only been capped in friendlies against Netherlands and Hungary in 2017 and 2018, has switched allegiances after reviving his career with Central Coast Mariners. The former Rangers, Hibs and Dundee frontman is now looking to book his place in Graham Arnold's World Cup squad that will head to Qatar this winter.
Having fired 11 goals in 22 A-League games the 27-year-old was called up to the 31-man squad for the double header against New Zealand, the final fixtures for Australia before they jet off for the World Cup. Having missed out on the squad for the first clash with All Whites, he made his 30 minute cameo in the second fixture count as he netted his first international goal from the penalty spot.
Defender Keanu Baccus was punished by the referee for blocking Cummings shot with his hand. Riley McGree then gave the green light for the debutant to step up as penalty taker, and he slotted the ball into the net. That sparked some antics from his teammates after the full-time whistle. Speaking to Channel 10 , Cummings said: "The ball fell to me, and I caught it well. It was going in and the boy handballed it, so I was fuming and I was looking at the ref..."
The interview was then derailed as his new international pals started soaking him with water. The host quipped: "That's how much love you are getting there!' Cummings then went on: “I thought ‘I’ve got to step up and finish off my dinner'. Fair play to the lads and Riley. They asked me if I wanted to take it, and I said ‘of course’. It’s a striker’s dream to step up, take a penalty and put it in the back of the net, not a problem.”
He went on to dedicate his first international goal to his dog, who is back in Scotland. He said "I've got him tattooed on my calf.
"He's in Scotland, so I'm missing him. I touch the dog on my calf, I rub his chest like I used to rub his chest back home and it brings me luck.
"Carlos, if you're listening to this interview, if you're reading this, I love you so much.
"That is the reason why I started playing football as a young kid, for days like this. To score on my international debut for the Socceroos is unbelievable.
"A year ago I was struggling on the bench for Dundee. I couldn't get a game for them. Now I'm playing for the Socceroos."
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