On 29 September, Beijing Time (CEST), in a friendly match, Australia lost 2-4 to Brazil. Chilkaty, who scored a goal and provided an assist, was interviewed after the match.

Regarding that corner kick, during the VAR review, did you think the goal would be allowed?

I knew there was contact in the penalty area, and initially I thought the review was for offside. If it was offside, the goal would be disallowed; I knew that. I also wondered whether they were checking for a foul in the penalty area, but I wasn't sure. However, when the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, I knew the goal wouldn't count.

With the end of the international break, many observers believe the team has made significant progress. Do you agree with this assessment?

Yes, I think we have shown progress at times. The issue is consistency; we need to bring our first-half performance into the second half and maintain it for the full 90 minutes. It's not easy; Brazil is a top national team with many talented players. This kind of progress doesn't happen overnight—it's a gradual process. We all showed positive signs, which is a good thing.

We fell behind in just 3 minutes, and our ball circulation wasn't even smooth, yet we eventually equalized and then took the lead. Are you proud of the team's resilience in adversity? Isn't that a very positive sign?

Yes, I'm very happy for my teammates. As you said, it wasn't easy. At that moment, the momentum was completely with the opposition; it felt like there were more than 11 players against us on the field. It was great to equalize and score the second goal. Unfortunately, we conceded a penalty in the 45th minute near the end; I think if it wasn't for that penalty, the entire match would have gone very differently.

The head coach mentioned at the press conference that this training camp shows a different tactical style from the World Cup. He said this change came more from the players themselves than from him personally. Do you agree with that statement?

I think it's both. Tactical ideas are proposed by the coach, and from that perspective, they come from him; but ultimately, we're the players executing those ideas on the field. The instructions and demands during the match all come from the coach, and we implement them on the pitch.

This week you mentioned the team's iconic style of play – being brave with ball possession and taking risks. We clearly saw that in today's match. Do you agree?

I completely agree. Our style of play is more proactive and aggressive, and many fans came to yesterday's training session.

How will a match against a strong team like Brazil enhance the team's image in the hearts of fans across the country?

It's fantastic! Many fans came to watch the training, which gave us extra motivation. The stadium was full today, and it felt amazing. Previously, our matches against Cameroon and Curaçao had empty stadiums; honestly, it felt like playing in our own backyard, which was a bit disappointing. Today's atmosphere, and the match against Townsville, were perfect. Queensland is amazing!

While discussions have already started for squad planning for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, the Asian Cup is just around the corner in January. If the team wants to compete for the Asian title, what are the most urgent areas to improve in the short term?

I don't think there will be revolutionary changes, although some players are still injured and unavailable. Once they return, whether as starters or substitutes, they will contribute to the team. Everyone can play a role in their own way. We're really looking forward to the Asian Cup, and our goal is to win the championship.

Do you feel there is strong public support for this team in Australia? Everyone watched the World Cup and is looking forward to starting a new journey with the team.

Indeed, the World Cup was a perfect debut for us. People gradually realized that this team is strong and plays well. The packed stadium is very exciting. Previously, our matches in Melbourne and Sydney only had around 10% capacity; it felt like playing in our own backyard.

During the World Cup, you said you hoped future opponents would see the Australian team and think, "Oh no, we don't want to play against them." Heading into the Asian Cup, you'll be considered favourites in many matches—almost every match will demand full effort from you. Are you looking forward to this pressure?

Yes, I'm looking forward to it. It's similar to the challenge I face with my club now: we have to try to win every match. Defeats are disappointing, and draws are equally unsatisfying. I hope the national team can reach this level in the future. The reason Japan is so much more dominant in Asian football is precisely because they've always had such high expectations.

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