Of all the Qantas Socceroos in Beirut, only striker Nikita Rukavytsya was involved in frantic European transfer deadline day activity, when he sealed a terrific move to Bundesliga outfit Mainz.
Of all the Qantas Socceroos in Beirut, only striker Nikita Rukavytsya was involved in frantic European transfer deadline day activity, when he sealed a terrific move to Bundesliga outfit Mainz.
The 25-year-old former Perth Glory marksman had been plying his trade with fellow German outfit Hertha Berlin, who were relegated from the Bundesliga last season.
After just one taste of second-tier football this campaign, Rukavytsya ensured he would again experience the grandeur of one of Europe-s showpiece leagues by signing on with Mainz.
“It-s a good move for me, obviously playing in the Bundesliga, one of the top leagues in the world,” Rukavytsya said.
“It-s sort of sad to leave Berlin. I-ve been there for two years and I love the club, the people, and I have friends there.
“It-s obviously better for my career but I-ll miss Berlin also.
“It-s a great league (the Bundesliga) with a lot of great players, there-s not any easy games, even if you play against the bottom team, it-s still a tough game.
“Anything can happen in this league and you have to be switched on every week and do your best in every game.”
For the Qantas Socceroos, Rukavytsya is still waiting on his breakthrough goal but has made significant strides in the early stages of his international career.
After first wearing green and gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Rukavystya ultimately worked his way into the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, where he made two appearances from the bench.
Most recently, Rukavytsya made a cameo appearance in June-s stirring 1-1 draw against Japan at Brisbane Stadium.
Ahead of the continuance of Australia-s FIFA World Cup qualification quest, Rukavystya is hoping to make a more significant impact, starting with the friendly against Lebanon and the FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Jordan.
“It-s a bit warm (in Beirut), but it-s fine so far, it-s good to see the boys, it-s been a couple of months since I-ve been in camp so, it-s good to see everyone and catch up with everyone again,” Rukavytsya said.
“It-s an important game for us (against Jordan) and the Lebanon game is leading up to the qualifier, it-s going to be a good preparation.
“Going into the next game, we have to win, we have to be switched on and do our best to get the three points.”
The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).
Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).
The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.
Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.