Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos battling for starting spots after South Korea defeat

SOCCEROOS midfielder Matt McKay admitted that competition for places has intensified after the loss to South Korea.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 07: Matt McKay of Australia runs during an Australian Socceroos training session at Lakeside Stadium on January 7, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

SOCCEROOS midfielder Matt McKay admitted that competition for places has intensified after the loss to South Korea.

McKay said he pulled up well after starting his second consecutive game, but with captain Mile Jedinak returning competition in midfield is hot.

In-form Dutch-based Tommy Oar and classy veteran Mark Bresciano are among those who are hoping to return for Thursday’s quarter-final against China at Suncorp Stadium.

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Matt McKay says Australia’s loss to South Korea has intensified competition for starting spots.

“I’m fine, everyone’s looking quite good, haven’t heard of any concerns and even Mile had a run out, so it’s great signs that everyone’s available,’’ McKay said.

“It’s great, the three guys who came off the bench the other day, then guys like Mark Bresciano still there, it’s good signs for our country, and everyone should be positive about the team’s development.

“You can only have 11 on the field and we’ve got 23 that can play and do quite well.

“Everyone’s been training hard and will be available and whatever team Ange thinks will win the game will come out.’’

The Socceroos had a day off on Monday but will return to training on Tuesday.

And as well as finishing, cutting out concentration lapses will be the major focus in the lead up to Thursday’s knockout clash.

“The boss made it quite clear that in international football you don’t get many chances to switch off and the times that we did it cost us,’’ he said.

McKay got on the scoresheet for Australia against Oman.

“It’s just the fine details and if we get those right we’ll be hard to stop in this tournament.

“We were in the game so it’s a lot easier to shake off, if we got belted it would’ve been a different story.

“We had some good signs, we need to finish like any side, we’ve got the players that can do it. If we continue to do that the goals will come.