Mark Schwarzer has spoken of his desire to represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil and judging by current form and fitness, Fulham’s No.1 goalkeeper is set to grace the domestic and international stage for a good few years yet.
“When I look at people like Brad [Friedel] and Edwin [van der Sar] last season, people who can still perform at this level at 40-years-old, it gives me inspiration and I want to carry on as long as I can continue to play well and enjoy my football,” said Schwarzer.
Schwarzer’s highly professional approach to fitness, which includes lengthy gym and pilates sessions, will hopefully aid his ambition to reach Brazil in 2014, as the goalkeeper explains.
“I think the way the game is today and what you have at football clubs helps you to take care of yourself," said Schwarzer. "If you keep that as a player you have a fantastic opportunity.
“We have that at this Club with the Sports Medicine and Exercise Science department and I exploit them as much as I can. I try to stay as fit as possible and train as much as I can.
“I’ve done a bit of yoga but it’s not something I get a lot of done, it’s more pilates, which I’ve been doing for four to five years at least. That has helped me massively with reflexes and mobility. That and a lot of gym work.
“The World Cup in 2014 is definitely an aim, and then we will see what happens.”