Socceroo Jackson Irvine says Australia wants to win a trophy in Russia

A CONFIDENT Jackson Irvine is optimistic of success in Russia following Australia’s win in the World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

8/06/2017 Australia Socceroos vs. Saudi Arabia at Adelaide Oval. Irvine Jackson nearly gets a toe on the ball with only the keeper to beat watched by Abdulla Aldossary. Picture Mark Brake

MIDFIELDER Jackson Irvine says the outlook for “Super June” is far more positive following the Socceroos’ vital World Cup qualifying win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.

Next stop on the journey is a date with world No. 1 Brazil in a glamour MCG friendly against Brazil on Tuesday night, before a trip to Russia for the Confederations Cup where Germany (world No. 3), Chile (No. 4) and Cameroon (No. 32) await in the group stage.

Irvine said the mentality heading into those matches would have been far different had the team not secured a vital three points against the Saudis in Adelaide.

“If anyone says they were thinking about it differently they’re probably kidding themselves,” Irvine said.

8/06/2017 Australia Socceroos vs. Saudi Arabia at Adelaide Oval. Irvine Jackson nearly gets a toe on the ball with only the keeper to beat watched by Abdulla Aldossary. Picture Mark Brake

“We were aware of the pressure, but that didn’t change the way we approached the game.

“Now that we’ve got that win in the bag, it does set us up in a positive light for the month. But we don’t just want to end it there just because that was, arguably, the most important game.

“We want to go and compete to win another trophy (in Russia). It’s another major tournament for us to play in and if that means we start with a great performance against Brazil and then move that into taking on the best at the Confeds Cup then so be it.”

Irvine said the clash with the star-studded Brazilians is an ideal warm-up for the clash with Germany on Tuesday-week.

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And the Burton Albion star rejected suggestions the Socceroos’ attacking brand of play is open to being exposed by some of the world’s best sides.

“We out-possessed England in England (last year) and people tend to forget those sorts of things,” he said.

“We know we’re capable of playing a possession-based game against the best because we’ve done it in the past.

Salam Alfaraj of Saudi Arabia and Jackson Irvine of Australia compete for the ball at the Adelaide Oval.

“We’re aware it’s going to be difficult and the game will pan out in the way it does, but we’re very capable of dealing with these things. We’ll always try ... to take the game to the opposition and be positive.

“That’s something that has been instilled in us over the last year or two.”

Melbourne-born Irvine is yet to play an international game in his home state.

“To do it against Brazil would be a brilliant way to make my first appearance here.

“It would be a dream come true to play at the biggest arena we have, especially in front of my friends and family.”

Originally published as Socceroo Jackson Irvine says Australia wants to win a trophy in Russia