Socceroos v UAE: Mathew Leckie declares himself fit for Asian Cup semi-final in Newcastle

BULLOCKING Socceroo Mathew Leckie has cleared himself to play in Tuesday’s Asian Cup semi-final against the UAE in Newcastle.

China's Sun Ke (L) and Australia's Mathew Leckie fight for the ball during the quarter-final football match between Australia and China at the AFC Asian Cup in Brisbane on January 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

BULLOCKING Socceroo Mathew Leckie has cleared himself to play in Tuesday’s Asian Cup semi-final against the UAE in Newcastle.

Leckie, who helped swing the game in Australia’s favour after a poor start against China, limped off clutching his hamstring in the 69th minute of last Thursday’s win.

The Germany-based attacker admitted having general post-game soreness 48 hours after the China match, but said his hamstring was not a concern ahead of the game against the tournament’s giant-killers.

“I’m confident (I can start). It wasn’t something that happened suddenly where I thought I’m in trouble,’’ Leckie told the Sunday Herald Sun.

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“I came off just to make sure it didn’t get worse. I felt a bit sore.

“It wasn’t a shooting action or a sprint, it just started feeling tight, I didn’t want to take any risks.

“I felt the best thing for the team was that I come off and somebody comes in who could give more than I could for the last 20 minutes.’’

Australia’s second placing in Group A was viewed as a disaster, as it pitted Ange Postecoglou’s side against Japan in the semi-final.

Leckie has formed part of Australia’s dangerous three-pronged attack with Tim Cahill and Robbie Kruse, who were rested but came on late in the group stage loss to South Korea.

But the UAE’s stunning upset, via penalties, against a flat ‘Samurai Blue’ showed they’re made of stern stuff, according to Leckie.

“Japan was favourite to meet us in the semis once we finished second, but it just shows the character of the other teams and how hard it is to break the down,’’ he said.

“Japan was pushing towards the end, but they just couldn’t score and didn’t have the legs in the end.

“UAE are dangerous on the counter attack and they’re very solid at the back and that showed.

“It’s not going to be easy, Japan struggled. Semi-finals, anything can happen, it’s knockout football.’’

Leckie said Australia’s offensive approach _ on display in the final moments against China when they refused to take their foot off the gas _ will be repeated on Tuesday.

“We’ll go in like every game, we try and win. All four games have been very attacking and we won’t change that,’’ Leckie said.

“We don’t want to change our plan to suit the opposition, we want to play the way we play and hope that they change the way they play.

“There’s no more motivation, knowing that you’re one game away from the final.

“Every player knows how important the game is. If we win we’re in the final.’’

Originally published as Socceroos v UAE: Mathew Leckie declares himself fit for Asian Cup semi-final in Newcastle