'A lot of sacrifices' All Whites midfielder Elijah Just hopes for home peak, ahead of rare Auckland fixture with Socceroos

Elijah Just of the All Whites in action during the Australia Socceroos v New Zealand All Whites International Football match in Brisbane, Australia, 22 September 2022.

After waiting so long for a home match, reality is sinking in for All Whites' midfielder Elijah Just.

Like the majority of his teammates, Just has never represented the senior national side in this country and has been eagerly anticipating Sunday's clash at Eden Park (4pm), ever since the centenary series with Australia was confirmed in June.

On Saturday morning the team got a taste of what the occasion means to football folk in New Zealand, as the team were besieged by fans at an official welcome in Auckland.

There was a large crowd at the Aotea Centre event, across ages and demographics, many sporting club colours and all keen to meet their heroes.

While the likes Chris Wood, LIberato Cacace and Winston Reid predictably attracted large queues, the interest was widespread across the squad, underlining the burgeoning popularity of this team, despite their long absence.

"It's incredible," Just told the Herald. "It's really nice. Having so many supporters and people here that are happy to see us."

Across his international career Just has only known foreign venues, with games in Ireland, Lithuania, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Barcelona and Brisbane for the All Whites.

The 22-year-old has also been based in Europe since June 2019, making his way as a professional in Denmark. It's a dream for any aspiring footballer but there are down sides.

"Mainly my family, I miss them a lot," said Just. "I don't get to see them but also they don't get to see me play. They made a lot of sacrifices for me growing up and to be a footballer and being so far away is not easy. Obviously they have to wake up in the middle of the night to watch the games so this will be nice."

Sunday will be the first time they have watched him live since March 2019, when he turned out for Eastern Suburbs in the ISPS Handa Premiership final.

In the intervening years, Just has come a long way.

He spent three seasons at Helsingor (73 games/14 goals), helping them achieve promotion then consolidate their place in the second tier, before his recent move to AC Horsens in the Danish Superligaen.

"So far my experience has been really good," said Just. "It's a lot more pressure but it's exciting; it's where I want to be and obviously keep pushing on and hopefully put in some good performances."

Just underlined his vast potential with an impressive performance in Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Socceroos in Brisbane.

Nominally playing on the left wing, Just popped up everywhere, a constant threat as he found space in the congested midfield with his pace, close control and movement. His confidence on the ball was telling, along with his desire, as he even won headers at times despite his diminutive 1.74m frame.

It was easily his best outing for the All Whites but Just dismissed the suggestion of a breakthrough game, saying the team has higher expectations and were highly disappointed at the result. Overall, the Ole Academy product is tracking well but knows there is much more to be done.

"There are lot of areas I want to improve on," said Just. "Think faster, play faster, become faster and stronger on the physical side. There is nowhere where I can't improve."

That quest starts again on Sunday, as the All Whites need to find a more clinical edge, to reward the undoubted quality in their build up play.

There are likely to be several changes from the first match, with Winston Reid, Bill Tuiloma, Marko Stamenic and Alex Greive among those expected to come into the starting XI.