Walter Valeri, your son is a Socceroo

Spare a thought for Walter Valeri this weekend.

He's played football all his life. He's played all across Australia. He's coached and managed teams. He's managed his own son's teams. He was President of Capital Football for four years only stepping down due to the increasing demands of his own job and that of Capital Football. His life has been about football.

On Saturday he'll be in the stands to watch his son Carl take the field (I expect) for his home debut for the Australian national side.

Of course he's seen him play for Australia before. At the U17 World Cup in Trinidad, U19 World Cup in United Arab Emirates and Athens Olympics to name a few occasions.

This is different.

Carl has been overseas from the age of 18, he's now 23. Imagine going yourself, or sending your young man/women off to a foreign country.

Every parent wishes the best for his kids, but seeing his son go overseas and the difficulties that brings for parents and son is never easy. Italy is a long long way away.

When Carl walks out on Saturday don't be surprised to see a few tears amongst Walter and his family. Only they will know how hard it has been for Carl to get this far.

Carl started at Tuggernanong United Juniors, so when you're wandering around your local oval this weekend have a look, you might be passing another future Socceroo

And maybe the next time a Canberran walks out for the Socceroos he will have done it by playing in his own country for an A-League side. There's a thought!