Australia's Adam Federici Ups World Cup Credentials With Super Display For Reading

Australian goalkeeper Adam Ferderici has turned in a man-of-the-match performance to give his Reading side a valuable point, saving a penalty and making a string of fine saves in their goalless draw away against Swansea City.

Only a few days after he was unable to prevent his Royals team from succumbing to a 3-0 loss at Newcastle United, Federici saved a 25th-minute Mark Gower effort to give new manager Brendan Rodgers only his second point of the season.

Reading have failed to score a goal in their opening three Championship games and are in something of a rebuilding phase following the departure of manager Steve Coppell.

For Federici though, it represents a wonderful chance to cement himself as the club’s first-choice ‘keeper following the departure of American Marcus Hahnemann barely 12 months out from the World Cup in South Africa.

With Australia having already qualified, he is in contention for one of two goalkeeping spots in Dutch manager Pim Verbeek’s squad, with Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer the undisputed first-choice.

And it will be this type of performance that will elevate the 24-year-old's standing within the Socceroos camp, as he competes with the likes of veteran Michael Petkovic – currently playing with Sivasspor in Turkey – and Middlesbrough’s injured ‘keeper Brad Jones.

Moments after having made the stop from Gower, Federici saved from Gary Monk’s powerful header before making another good save to deny striker Stephen Dobbie.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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