Socceroo Aaron Mooy set to overcome illness to face Thailand in Melbourne

SOCCEROOS superstar Aaron Mooy shed more than 3kg after suffering from illness in Japan, But there’s good news for the Aussie ahead of the Thailand clash in Melbourne.

Aaron Mooy is set to be fit to play against Thailand next week. Picture: Jono Searle

DESPITE losing almost 3kg to illness on Thursday Aaron Mooy will be fit to play against Thailand at AAMI Park as Australia’s hopes of automatically qualifying for next year’s World Cup go on the line.

Mooy was a shock absentee from the team sheet to play Japan and fellow midfielder Massimo Luongo said the Socceroos could have done with the “spark” of the Huddersfield star in the eventual 2-0 loss at Saitama Stadium.

The 26-year-old fell ill overnight Wednesday.

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Aaron Mooy is set to be fit to play against Thailand next week. Picture: Jono Searle

Some teammates found out about the turn of events when Mooy’s roommate, Danny Vukovic, was traipsing the team’s hotel hallways with his bag because Mooy had to be quarantined from the rest of the squad.

Others only became aware when Mooy didn’t front for breakfast on the morning of the game.

The illness, described as “one of those 24-hour bugs”, threw Ange Postecoglou’s selection plans into chaos, but how the team would have lined-up if Mooy were fit isn’t known.

It became a dual headache for the coach with Tomi Juric also only declared unfit to play 90 minutes on the morning of the game.

Until that time Robbie Kruse, who ultimately played as striker, was said to be of the belief he would start on the bench.

The Socceroos were left dejected after the 2-0 defeat in Japan. Picture: Getty Images

Mooy, who didn’t even attend the game so sick was he, is understood to have been gutted not to have been able to play in a game that could have sealed direct qualification for Russia with a win.

But now, despite being a little hoarse and a little lighter, the two-time Melbourne City best and fairest winner is in much better spirits.

He had rejoined the team dynamic by lunchtime on Friday and appeared fine when the Socceroos stepped off the plane in Melbourne shortly after 8am yesterday.

To this point though he has been shielded from media responsibilities.

Tuesday night’s match will be a homecoming of sorts for Mooy, his first game at AAMI since leaving City at the end of the 2015-16 A-League season.

Since being bought by Manchester City, sent out on loan to Huddersfield and then, finally, transferred to the newly promoted Premier League club, Mooy has flourished in English football.

And Luongo said his presence would have helped against Japan.

“Of course, of course, but that’s just the way it goes,” Luongo said.

“They sat off a bit. I don’t know how much more we could have done.

“We probably just needed a bit of spark maybe, he could have given that to us.”

Originally published as Socceroo Aaron Mooy set to overcome illness to face Thailand in Melbourne