Fox Football Podcast: Robbie Kruse says he is starting to feel like he did prior to ACL injury

FOX FOOTBALL PODCAST: Robbie Kruse joins Adam Peacock, Sasa Ognenovski, Ned Zelic and Tom Smithies for a thorough Socceroos analysis.

SOCCEROOS man-of-the-match Robbie Kruse says he’s starting to feel like he did before his ACL injury as Australia’s Asian Cup campaign continues to build momentum.

Speaking to the Fox Football Podcast on Wednesday morning, Kruse said getting a goal was a confidence boost for him, in a team performance that he says was one of the best he’s ever been involved with in green and gold.

“I felt pretty good last night, but my body is a little bit sore today – first time I’ve played two games back to back in a long time,” Kruse said.

“(It’s) just so satisfying to be back in the national team, but more importantly, to score a goal was really good for my confidence. I’m starting to feel like I did before the injury.

“Hopefully as the games go on I can keep getting better and better.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL CHAT WITH KRUSE IN THE FOX FOOTBALL PODCAST.

Adam Peacock is joined in studio by Sasa Ognenovski and The Daily Telegraph’s Tom Smithies, and on the phone by Ned Zelic, to dissect the game, and the tournament thus far, from all angles.

Listen to the episode below, or download it at the iTunes store, or for Android users, on the iPP Podcast Player App.

Many had wondered whether Kruse would be able to back up from the clash with Kuwait on Friday night, but the Bayer Leverkusen player said the additional 90 minutes was “definitely good for my fitness.”

Kruse says the four goal display in Sydney on Tuesday night is indicative of where the side is heading.

“Since I’ve come into the team, it’s probably one of the better performances as a team – we’re really building towards something good here,” he said.

“The way we played last night was a little indication of what we do. Hopefully as we keep progressing we can get better and better.

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“Everyone in the public is starting to notice how good we are.”

2014 was a tough one for Kruse, who suffered a knee injury at Bayer Leverkusen that ruled him out of the World Cup.

He says, however, that this continental campaign can go some way to help erase the memories from last year.

“There’s a lot of tough times – you’re always alone in the rehab. Sometimes it takes its toll, like watching the guys at the World Cup on the TV. It’s bittersweet not to be there.

“If I can do well in this tournament, hopefully the World Cup will be a distant memory.”

Originally published as Fox Football Podcast: Robbie Kruse says he is starting to feel like he did prior to ACL injury