World Cup 2018: Aaron Mooy says Huddersfield game plan can help Socceroos
AARON Mooy says Huddersfield’s against-the-odds EPL survival could provide the perfect template for the Socceroos when they run out to face powerhouse France in their Russia 2018 opener.
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AARON Mooy says that all the sacrifices will be worth it once he runs out on to a heaving Kazan Arena to face powerhouse France in the Socceroos’ Russia 2018 opener.
Far from content at just making the World Cup, Mooy says the Socceroos can defy most “experts” by causing a Group C boilover and advancing from the group which also includes Denmark and Peru.
The midfield maestro is plotting to replicate a fairytale debut Premier League season with Huddersfield Town, who were “never in a rush” in their numerous David v Goliath battles.
Asked what emotions he’ll feel walking out in front of a packed 45,000 crowd and a global TV audience in excess of 200 million, Mooy said: “If I make the field, just that it’s all worth it. All the hard yards, sacrifice. This is why you did it all, for moments like this.”
Huddersfield’s stunning survival, underpinned by a togetherness and collective fighting spirit, are the perfect template for the Socceroos heading into the clash with a rock-star France squad.
“At Huddersfield we were never in a rush when we played the big teams. The more time they’ve got with the ball, the more chances they’ll create. It’s totally different to last year in the Championship. I learned a lot,’’ he said.
“We were never expected to win or get a point against them, just take your time and it upsets their rhythm a bit.
“There was lots of game like that for Huddersfield this season. It’s really tough, you don’t have the ball much, you’ve got to stay in the game, try and create some chances.
“You might not out-possess them, but when we get a chance we’d score. Game management is very important. Realising the situation of a match.
“It was another amazing season for the club, no one expected us to stay up and we proved everyone wrong. It was very special.
“There’s teams with a lot more quality than us but we have to show that passion and fight, maybe more than the other teams. You need that when you don’t have as much quality as other teams.”
Mooy felt the Socceroos could advance to the last 16.
“We’ve got to believe we can. It’s obviously a strong group but anything can happen, we’ve seen many times people and teams prove pundits wrong. Anything’s possible in football, if we play to our very best every game, I feel we’ve got a great chance,” Mooy said.
Originally published as World Cup 2018: Aaron Mooy says Huddersfield game plan can help Socceroos