00:02Warming up to represent his country, Mark O'Connor set to become the first junior soccer player
00:08from the Northern Territory to wear the green and gold on the world stage.
00:12It's not really normal for kids in the NC to be selected for things like this.
00:17So ever since I've grown up I've kind of not really expected this.
00:20His club's president says determination is what sets him apart.
00:25Very small body, a lot of people are targeting, he gets up, I haven't seen a hit that's kept him
00:31on the ground yet.
00:32But the 15 year old is keen to share some of the glory with his dad.
00:36My dad is a big idol of mine, he's always been motivating me to train and to play the sport
00:42so I'm really grateful for him.
00:44Mark will play for the inaugural National Select squad which includes a player from every state and territory.
00:50Some states haven't had a player in the Junior Matildas or the Joeys for many years.
00:53So this gives them an opportunity and in that state it provides a pathway, they can see that somebody's wearing
01:00the shirt.
01:01The team flies out next month to face a diverse range of countries in the competition's group stage.
01:06We get to play against the host country, Azerbaijan.
01:10That's always a unique challenge when you're playing international football.
01:14We've got Timor-Leste, Israel, Andorra to name just a few.
01:19Hoping to play his part in getting the Aussies into the finals, Mark's keen to test himself against the world's
01:25best.
01:26I'm sure there's many lessons I can learn from these players that I'm going to be against and playing with.
01:30Because they'd be in elite environments and playing at a very high level.
01:35His team mates can't wait to cheer him on.
01:37Good luck.
01:38I know you'll do great.
01:40Yeah.
01:40Let's call it to goals.
01:41Let's go.
01:41.
01:42.
01:43You
