Davidson lighter but stronger

Published on: 23 October 2018

Left-back Jason Davidson hopes shedding weight ahead of the A-League season has put him closer to an international recall.

The Perth Glory recruit has earned 22 Australia caps, including starting all three group games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He scored his only Socceroos goal in the 2-0 win over the UAE on the way to Ange Postecoglou's team winning the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.

Davidson played two Premier League games for West Bromwich Albion during a spell in England that also included a season with Huddersfield Town in the Championship.

He had a loan spell with FC Groningen in Holland in 2016/17 but his time at Croatian club Rijeka didn't work out and he moved to Perth in July hoping to get his career back on track.

Davidson feels playing under coach Tony Popovic, who led Western Sydney to the Asian Champions League title, can help propel him back into the Socceroos set-up.

The 27-year-old admits he was carrying too much weight when he arrived in Perth and has worked tirelessly to fix that over the past three months.

"Since I've come I've lost five kilos," he said. "I feel a lot better for it. I feel healthier, stronger, faster, quicker."

Speaking of Popovic, the defender said: "The biggest reason I came here was to work under him; his attention to detail is unbelievable, and that makes the difference.

"He's tough on me and I appreciate that. If you work hard and put your body on the line for the team he's the type of coach that rewards that behaviour."

Perth, who drew 1-1 with Western Sydney in their opening game of the season, hope skipper Diego Castro (hamstring) and defender Matthew Spiranovic (hip surgery) could be available for Sunday's clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

The Glory are 9/1 to win the 2018/19 Grand Final and 16/5 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 7/10 with the draw 16/5.

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Left-back Jason Davidson hopes shedding weight ahead of the A-League season has put him closer to an international recall.

The Perth Glory recruit has earned 22 Australia caps, including starting all three group games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He scored his only Socceroos goal in the 2-0 win over the UAE on the way to Ange Postecoglou's team winning the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.

Davidson played two Premier League games for West Bromwich Albion during a spell in England that also included a season with Huddersfield Town in the Championship.

He had a loan spell with FC Groningen in Holland in 2016/17 but his time at Croatian club Rijeka didn't work out and he moved to Perth in July hoping to get his career back on track.

Davidson feels playing under coach Tony Popovic, who led Western Sydney to the Asian Champions League title, can help propel him back into the Socceroos set-up.

The 27-year-old admits he was carrying too much weight when he arrived in Perth and has worked tirelessly to fix that over the past three months.

"Since I've come I've lost five kilos," he said. "I feel a lot better for it. I feel healthier, stronger, faster, quicker."

Speaking of Popovic, the defender said: "The biggest reason I came here was to work under him; his attention to detail is unbelievable, and that makes the difference.

"He's tough on me and I appreciate that. If you work hard and put your body on the line for the team he's the type of coach that rewards that behaviour."

Perth, who drew 1-1 with Western Sydney in their opening game of the season, hope skipper Diego Castro (hamstring) and defender Matthew Spiranovic (hip surgery) could be available for Sunday's clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

The Glory are 9/1 to win the 2018/19 Grand Final and 16/5 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 7/10 with the draw 16/5.

Source: bet365.com

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