World Cup: Socceroos’ brand “resurrected”
Australia’s extraordinary display against the Netherlands “resurrected” the Socceroos brand and a loss against Spain would just put one foot back in the grave, midfielder Matt McKay says.
Australia face the world champion Spaniards in their final match in Brazil on Monday (Tuesday AEST) with back-to-back defeats having already ended both sides’ campaigns.
But far from being a meaningless fixture, McKay says going home winless would just take away from their impressive performances having tested two top-15 sides in Chile and the Netherlands.
Performances McKay feels have reinvigorated Australia’s excitement about the Socceroos.
“It’s still a game we want to win,” he told reporters in Vitoria on Thursday (Friday AEST).
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“It would be so disappointing to go home with three losses, after how we’ve resurrected the Socceroos brand I feel.
“So it’s very important for us and we want to turn those good performances into results.”
With Mark Milligan sustaining a hamstring strain, McKay was a late inclusion in the starting line-up for the 3-2 loss against the Dutch.
He admits he never thought he’d be starting at the World Cup but with Milligan racing the clock to be fit for the Spain clash, the Brisbane Roar midfielder is likely to get his chance again.
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So too with Oliver Bozanic and Adam Taggart who came on as substitutes in the memorable encounter.
With striker Tim Cahill suspended and midfielder Mark Bresciano (hip-flexor) injured, the young duo could also be part of coach Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI on Monday.
“You have different milestones in your career, and this was never on the radar for me until recently,” McKay said.
“To play in a World Cup is a real high.
“I always held hopes I get some minutes and have been working hard at training.
“You have to credit everyone’s attitude, the boys who didn’t think they’d play are starting to get some minutes. Those little windows open up.”
McKay, who played under Postecoglou as part of the Roar’s maiden championship-winning side in the A-League, says the coach has taken his same motivational skills into the Socceroos and has successfully instilled his attacking style of football.
“He just speaks so well and motivates the players. That’s half the battle, and obviously tactically, you see how he shapes up his sides and gets them prepared, it’s second to none,” he said.
“It’s translated to the national team which is not an easy task.
“All around the world apparently everyone’s impressed with how we’ve played, so full credit to him.”
