Asian Cup: Matt McKay pinpoints South Korea showdown as Socceroos most important game

THE name might be unfamiliar, but for Socceroo Matt McKay his home ground looms as the most important game of next month’s AFC Asian Cup.

Socceroos player Matt McKay tries out the nes benches for the Asian Cup at Suncorp Stadium. Pic Peter Wallis

THE name might be unfamiliar, but for Socceroo Matt McKay his home ground looms as the most important game of next month’s AFC Asian Cup.

McKay was quick to nominate Australia’s third outing of the tournament, on January 17 against Korea, as a defining clash for the host nation.

It will be played at Suncorp Stadium, which for commercial reasons will be temporarily labelled as Brisbane Stadium.

Win, and Australia should progress to the next stage as the top country in a group that also includes Oman and Kuwait.

A loss could pit the Socceroos into a tough quarter-final assignment against China or three-time Cup champion Saudi Arabia.

“It will be a big game. We want to win the group so we will have to go hard against the Koreans,” McKay said.

McKay’s selection in Ange Postecoglou’s squad came a day after he was announced as the new Roar captain and was given a two-year extension on his playing contract.

He is among 16 players retained from the Socceroos squad that failed to notch a win at the World Cup in Brazil and now gets the chance to add to his proud tally of 50 Socceroos caps.

The 31-year-old faces a tough time earning a spot in the midfield in the starting XI, with veteran Mark Bresciano, captain Mile Jedinak, a fit Mark Milligan and in-form playmaker Massimo Luongo in the mix.

McKay will join the Socceroos in Melbourne for a pre-tournament training camp after Roar’s A-League match against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday afternoon.

Originally published as Asian Cup: Matt McKay pinpoints South Korea showdown as Socceroos most important game