Socceroos desperate to maintain winning form heading to the Asian Cup’s knockout stages
The Socceroos have work left to do against Uzbekistan if they are to top Group B at the Asian Cup.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Giant defender Cameron Burgess has promised the Socceroos will again “find a way” to win against Uzbekistan to ensure they carry momentum into the Asian Cup knockout stages.
Regardless of the result on Tuesday night (AEDT) at Al-Janoub Stadium, the Socceroos have already secured a berth in the round-of-16.
However, Australia’s desire to win its group, set up a potentially easier round-of-battle and also maintain winning form heading into the business end of the tournament in Qatar has the Socceroos anything but complacent and relaxed ahead of their clash with the White Wolves.
“We’re here to win every game,” Burgess said.
“We’re not here to take it easy in any games so we’re going to go into that one with full confidence. and hopefully go and take three points, top the group and take the confidence into the next few games.”
The Socceroos top Group B with six points from two matches after 2-0 and 1-0 wins over India and Syria respectively.
Uzbekistan is two points adrift of the Australians but will top the group with a win on Tuesday night.
“We’ll have a look at them, what their strengths are and what they’ll try and do,” said the 194cm Burgess, who plies his trade at club level for English Championship heavyweights Ipswich Town.
“Both teams are looking to get top spot so it should be an exciting game.”
Burgess, who started in Australia’s win over Syria, is part of a Socceroos’ defensive unit aiming for a seventh successive clean sheet.
“For the whole team it is something we can be proud of,” he said.
“It’s something that we take pride in and something that we focus on … something we really think is a big strength.”
However, while the Australians have been strong defensively, their attack remains a work in progress as they struggle to break down opponents happy to sit back and defend in numbers.
“You’ve just got to find a way to win the game,” Burgess said.
“It’s not always going to be easy, especially when the teams’ set up like that.
“It means sometimes you can’t score four and five goals, (butt) you have to just stick with it, and I think we’ve shown that as a team.
“In both games so far, we’re just staying calm and sticking to the process.”
Burgess said there was a good feeling in the Socceroos camp.
“I love being around these boys. It’s a great group to be involved in,” he said.
“The boys are always up to something, there’s always stuff going on around camp and it’s a good place to be.”
Originally published as Socceroos desperate to maintain winning form heading to the Asian Cup’s knockout stages
Socceroo being ‘treated like a proper player’ again
A star Socceroo who is much happier after a change of clubs in England is intent on helping Australia bouncing back after a shock loss to Bahrain.
Socceroos road to 2026 World Cup set to get even harder
Socceroos midfielder Keanu Baccus says he only expects qualifying for this and future World Cups to get harder as more and more Asian countries invest more into national football teams.