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AAP
Anna Harrington

Popovic spray in past as rejuvenated Arzani kicks on

Daniel Arzani is playing with fresh confidence following his Socceroos recall. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

With a public spray from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic behind him, a rejuvenated Daniel Arzani is ready to spark Melbourne Victory's run to the A-League Men finals.

Fresh off his return to the Socceroos last month, Arzani burst into form, scoring his first goal from open play, then winning and converting a penalty in Victory's dramatic 5-3 win over Adelaide before their bye.

It's kept Victory in touch with the top four and among the pack jostling for a top-two finish.

"I'm feeling really good, feeling confident, feeling physically good as well, which is really important. And the team's looking good too, which is even more important," Arzani said. 

"So all those things combined, hopefully it'll be a really strong finish to the season for us."

Arzani attributes his spike in confidence to his Socceroos recall for last month's qualifiers, where he came off the bench against Indonesia and China.

Poppa
Tony Popovic recalled Arzani to his Socceroos squad. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

"It's always nice going away with the national team. It's such an honour. It's a big confidence boost as well," he said.

"You also come back with a fresh mind. You come back with a new perspective on things, and you're keen to make an impact.

"For me, it was important to be a reminder that I can compete at that level, and I can hang with the best. 

"It was a really good confidence boost for me during a tough period, during a tough season."

Arzani's recall came two months after Popovic described the winger's training effort during last October's international camp as "not good enough".

He'd welcomed the feedback, then got to work.

"Obviously I worked with 'the boss' for a long time here as well, so he knows me pretty well and I think he knew that at that moment, probably a little bit of a kick up the bum is what I needed," he said. 

"And I think it was good intention, and for me, it helped me in the long run, to be honest. 

"I look at where I'm at now, mentally and physically, and I feel like I'm in a really good spot to really have a big impact for the team going into the last few games, and hopefully for the finals as well."

Arthur Diles' charges should regain Ryan Teague, who missed a week with soreness after an impressive Socceroos debut, against Wellington away on Saturday.

Teague
Ryan Teague is expected back for the Victory. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

"He's very cool-headed and rarely ever takes a bad touch, makes a bad decision, makes a rash challenge," Arzani said.

"And for me, seeing him go in to that environment and playing like he's been there for five, 10, years is just something I expected to be honest because that's just one of his qualities."

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