Nearly one hundred of the region's junior soccer players have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity as representatives for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Children as young as six have been chosen to accompany players on to the ground at the beginning of each match, collect balls or be sideline flag bearers for games in Canberra.
Lucas Carey, 6, is one of 99 lucky locals chosen. He barracks for Tottenham, is inspired by Christian Eriksen and is completely obsessed with soccer.
Lucas has been playing for three years and his dad David said it was a family passion.
"Being English, I've played and I played a lot when I was younger," David said.
"Lucas picked it up and now he's a bit obsessed by it as well," said David, who coaches Lucas' under 7s team.
David said it was fantastic when Lucas was picked to be a mascot.
"When I was a kid, I wanted to be a mascot, and so [it's great] for him to be able to do that," he said.
"I think he's pretty excited just by the whole atmosphere, about going onto the pitch, but I think it's something he will look back on as well, when he's older."
David said Lucas would love to grow up to be a professional soccer player, as would every kid his age.
"I suppose we will just have to wait and see."
The AFC Asian Cup will be the biggest soccer tournament staged in Australia. Canberra Stadium will host seven matches of the tournament, including the quarter final on January 23, 2015.
