Sydney FC forward Jaushua Sotirio is two wins from the FIFA World Cup after taking up a place in New Caledonia’s squad ahead of key qualifiers this week.
The former Australia under-23 representative and A-League Men journeyman, who’s also played for Newcastle, Wellington and Western Sydney, has jumped ship by declaring for the nation of his parents’ birth.
New Caledonia is one of four Pacific nations eyeing the World Cup this week when Oceania qualifying concludes in New Zealand.
On Friday, New Caledonia take on Tahiti in an all-Francophone semi-final before New Zealand face Fiji, all at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
The prize for the two winners is a trip to Auckland’s colosseum Eden Park next Monday and a playoff for qualification.
FIFA’s expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams next year has afforded Oceania direct qualification for the first time, with the Chris Wood-led Kiwis the hottest of favourites to book their place.
Sotirio’s New Caledonia squadmates are mostly local players or those in French lower divisions.