2019 Asian Cup: Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan calls on team to ‘hit ground running’ against Jordan

Skipper Mark Milligan is encouraged to see the Socceroos ‘get into the habit of scoring goals’ as the team switches focus to making a statement in their opening Asian Cup clash against Jordan.

Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan leads from the front against Oman.

• Socceroos warm up for Asian Cup with five-star performance

Skipper Mark Milligan is encouraged to see the Socceroos “get into the habit of scoring goals” as the team switches focus to making a statement in their opening Asian Cup clash against Jordan.

Australia thrashed world No.82 Oman 5-0 in their final friendly hit-out, when Andrew Nabbout, Chris Ikonomidis, Awer Mabil, Milos Degenek and Jackson Irvine all scored in a promising – albeit completely unchallenged – outing in Dubai.

“We wanted to get into the habit of scoring goals,” said Milligan, who was deployed in his old midfield role instead of central defence.

Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan leads from the front against Oman.

“We’ve already gotten into the habit of scoring goals in training and we wanted to continue that today. We ticked a number of boxes today.”

“We got some valuable minutes into a lot of us. The tournament’s just around the corner and it was important we got a good hit out and focused on what we needed to do.

“Obviously we’ve still got a bit of work to do. We have limited time in this set-up, working with Arnie and Rene and the rest of the staff.

“So it’s about us taking information as quickly as possible, and that’s why we don’t want to waste opportunities like this to go out and to improve.”

The Socceroos now have only six days until their open their 2015 Cup defence in Al Ain against Jordan.

Milligan acknowledged the expectation that comes with being the reigning trophy-holders and understood Australia will play with a target on their back.

But he wasn’t fazed, and called on his side to announce themselves as contenders from the first minute.

“I don’t think it’s extra pressure, it’s just a little bit more difficult trying to go back to back,” he said.

Andrew Noubbout slots home the Socceroos’ opening goal.

Jackson Irvine arguably scored the best goal of the game.

“You start the tournament with a big target on your back, but I believe in this group. We have a good mix of experience and young boys who’ve had experience now, who are at a good age.

“The way that Arnie has us playing it suits the players we have and the mindset of the group wants to do well.

“We know any tournament situation you have to start well.

“We know that it’s a long tournament and we’ll build, but we want to put our marker down from the beginning.”