Sunderland defender Nectarios Triantis has explained what he did five minutes before his league debut on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats ran out 3-1 winners, with Jobe Bellingham getting the first goal against his former club.
Blues’ then equalised with the scores level at half time, but a Dion Sanderson own goal and Adil Aouchiche scoring his first for the club resulted in a comfortable win at the Stadium of Light.
Manager Tony Mowbray was forced into a change though, just before kick-off.
The Australian U23 international Triantis came into the starting XI at the last minute, after fellow defender Dennis Cirkin was injured in the warmup, with what is believed to be another hamstring issue.
Sunderland ace explains what he did 5 mins before kick-off
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo following the win, Triantis explained that he did not even know he was starting the match until five minutes before kick-off.
“About five minutes before kick-off but I am mentally ready and switched on. I was ready to go from the start but it was a very late call.”
When asked about whether his family watched the game, he said:
“They were up for it. They are always up for every Sunderland game so when they knew I was starting they woke up the whole of Australia to come and watch the game. I just saw on Whatsapp that they were all up and it was a good moment for me.”
Triantis took his chance
The centre-back has struggled to get a look in so far in time in the North East, but certainly made the most of his chance when he got it.
The two centre backs on Saturday of Triantis and Jenson Seelt were both making their first starts for the club since their moves in the summer.
Triantis in particular was making his first appearance for the club in the Championship, after joining from Central Coast Mariners in his home nation.
Due to the good form of both Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard, he has struggled to get in the team. But both of their suspensions, due to the accumulation of yellow cards, coupled with the Cirkin injury, gave the 20-year-old his chance.
Whilst he certainly made an impression, it will take a lot of hard work to start becoming a regular in place of either Ballard or O’Nien for Sunderland.