By RUSSELL BENNETT
ANTHONY Carter is a name many aren’t familiar with yet, but that could all be about to change.
The 20-year-old forward from Dandenong North is already achieving big things with his soccer club, CFR Cluj in Romania’s Liga 1, and has the Australian green and gold on his mind in the coming years.
He signed his first professional contract at just 18-years-of-age, but it’s hardly all been smooth sailing for the electric goal scorer.
Carter has not long returned from a full knee reconstruction and has had to make his way back through a reserve role.
“Just getting some game time is very satisfying, but I’m looking forward to more,” he told the Journal.
“This season is nearly finished but I just want to play as much as I can before it ends.
“I had a great start to the year but last year was very tough due to my injury.
“My long-term goals are to break into the starting 11 next season, play as much as I can, score goals and hopefully get seen by the Australian national team selectors – I’d love to represent my country.”
Born in Sunbury in 1994, Carter was introduced to ‘the beautiful game’ by some of his childhood friends. He has since gone on to play for Kingston; Box Hill United, Melbourne Phoenix, Vincenza, Parma in Italy, and ‘The Railwaymen’ – the Transylvania-based CFR Cluj.
He is fast, technical, can shoot with both left and right feet, and is particularly strong with his back to goal.
And Carter admits to being an unabashed fan of two of the biggest superstars of the sport – Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Brazilian icon Ronaldo.
“All the attackers in my position help me to learn more and become a better player,” he said.
And that relentless pursuit of excellence is exactly what has him so well placed to become more of a household name in the future. Watch this space.
