ON the day Terry Antonis was recalled to the Socceroos squad to face Japan, the 20-year-old has declared his future remains at Sydney FC.

Antonis last played for Australia at the East Asian Cup in 2012 during Holger Osieck’s tenure as Socceroos head coach. He was picked in Ange Postecoglou’s squad to face Belgium and Saudi Arabia more recently, but a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw at the last minute.

Some 18 months ago he signed a deal to join Parma in Serie A but the deal collapsed after he suffered a brutal thigh injury that kept him out until the turn of the year.

Now, as he enjoys an excellent start to the A-League season with the unbeaten Sky Blues, Antonis is adamant he is happy to continue playing for the club he has been with for the last four years.

“I’ve been here since I was 16 and the club has looked after me and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me,” he said.

ANTONIS REWARDED AS ANGE TINKERS

media_camera Terry Antonis has been called back into the Socceroos squad. Picture Gregg Porteous

“I love Sydney as a club. I’ve gone for them since they started in the A-League and now actually playing for them, I’m really happy playing for them.”

Antonis credits Graham Arnold with helping his development both on and off the field and the Sky Blues coach has no doubt his talented midfielder will impress on a national stage.

“Terry is a fantastic young player who has a big future ahead of him,” Arnold said.

“He still has a lot to learn, but has great potential and this is a brilliant opportunity for him to impress on a bigger stage.

“I hope he grasps it and I’ve no doubt he will do himself, his family and all of Sydney FC proud when he pulls on the green and gold.”

And it’s not just Arnold who believes Antonis has a bright future.

Socceroos veteran Tim Cahill, who Antonis sees as a mentor, is delighted for his long-time family friend.

“He’s a great kid,” Cahill said from New York.

“He slept over at my house when I was playing in the English Premier League and he was still in Australia as a young kid learning his trade. He is probably one of the best kids I’ve ever met and obviously someone that’s really driven to do well and I’m so happy for him that he’s been selected.”

media_camera Tim Cahill is delighted his mate Antonis has been given the national nod.

Antonis’ selection comes days after his stunning strike against the Central Coast Mariners helped Sydney to their third consecutive win.

He says he was “over the moon” when he got the call from Postecoglou and now has his sights on next year’s Asian Cup.

“It’s always an honour to get picked for your national team,” Antonis said.

“It’s going to be really important for me, even just being picked for the squad, being able to train with great players and the national players. Just playing for your country is a huge honour.”

Socceroos squad to face Japan, November 18 in Osaka: Terry Antonis (Sydney FC — 3 caps), Aziz Behich (Bursaspor — 6), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa — 80), Josh Brillante (Fiorentina — 5), Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls — 75), Jason Davidson (West Bromwich Albion — 13), Ivan Franjic (Torpedo Moskva — 11), Chris Herd (Aston Villa — 3), James Holland (Austria Vienna — 15), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace — 51), Robbie Kruse (Bayer Leverkusen — 31), Mitch Langerak (Borussia Dortmund 0 5), Mathew Leckie (Ingolstadt 04 — 15), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town — 4), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar — 49), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory — 33), Mitch Nichols (Perth Glory — 4), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City — 3), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge — 12), Trent Sainsbury (PEC Zwolle — 3), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Western Sydney Wanderers — 4), James Troisi (SV Zulte Waregem — 15), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai — 10).