Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says team on target ahead of opener

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou was beaming after his squad got through their first high-intensity session ahead of Friday’s Asian Cup opener.

Socceroos training at Olympic Park, (L) Massimo Luongo gets around (R) Terry Antonis. Melbourne. 3rd January 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch.

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou was beaming after his squad got through their first high-intensity session ahead of Friday’s Asian Cup opener against Kuwait.

Training was brought forward an hour with the temperatures topping 40C on Saturday in Melbourne, and it had already hit 34C during the team’s morning session at Melbourne’s Olympic Park.

Only captain Mile Jedinak was rested after his grueling Crystal Palace Christmas schedule, with Dutch-based defender Trent Sainsbury also joining in the full session.

Massimo Luongo gets the better of Terry Antonis at training.

Postecoglou said that his players were focused six days out from the game one at AAMI Park.

“The training today in difficult conditions was good so their mindset’s good,’’ Postecoglou said.

“I’m sure as the week progresses there will be a sharper intensity to things, but where we sit right now I’m pretty pleased with the team physically and mentally.

“It was a bit of a progression from yesterday, it was difficult conditions with the heat and wind, but the mood and work-rate of the group was good and we got a lot out of it.

Mark Bresciano shows the youngster how it’s done.

“Most importantly they’re all progressing well in terms of making sure we’ve got a full list for next Friday, so it was a decent day.

“Any footballer will tell you heat and wind is the worst combination to try and play a structured style of play but they didn’t let that stop them.

“But there’s that bit of an edge because they all want to play, they’re all competing for spots.’’

Massimo Luongo said he was coping with the heat, despite a 30C-plus turnaround for this time of year for the Swindon Town midfielder.

Goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak gets some work in.

“It’s not too bad, nothing compared to what we had in UAE and other games, and everyone’s got to deal with it,’’ Luongo said.

“I prefer this than the freezing cold.”

Jedinak, whose club side has just confirmed Alan Pardew as their new manager, will start training fully on Sunday.

“He’s fine, he’s very fit actually, he’s had two games in 48 hours and got on a long flight so it was always the plan to ease him back in,’’ Postecoglou said.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says team on target ahead of opener