Nerang help Docceroos finetune preparations for World Medical Football Championships

THE Docceroos will head into the start of the World Medical Football Championships this weekend on the back of preparation aided by Football Gold Coast club Nerang.

THE Docceroos will head into the start of the World Medical Football Championships this weekend on the back of preparation aided by Football Gold Coast club Nerang.

With the World Cup for doctors and medical professionals kicking off in Mexico on Sunday, the Australian team recently finetuned plans for the eight-day tournament with a final practice game against Nerang.

The side, which includes a handful of former professionals, took on a specially-assembled Eagles outfit comprised of past legends and rising talent.

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“It was the perfect preparation, perfect opposition and perfect environment for our boys ahead of Mexico and a great representation of what we’ll face there,” Docceroos coach Dean Ugrinich said.

The Nerang and Docceroos players post-game. Picture: Rachel Syers

“This game helped us identify and work on some of the small things and we’ve been trying to piece things together along the way on this journey ... we managed to iron out some of those little creases and small issues we’ve had.

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“Personally I feel very proud and honoured to be given this responsibility (of coaching Australia) and it’s the same for these (players) as it’s the closest thing they’ll get to playing football on a world stage for their country – they take it very seriously.

“It’s hard to top last year where we ended up playing off for third place, but we’re just going to put our best out there and see if we can get into the finals again.”

Nerang Premier League coach Dave Benigno in action against the Docceroos at Glennon Park. Picture: Luke Sorensen

Nerang goalkeeper Luke Sorensen played his first game in seven years when he came off the bench for a 20-minute cameo, reigniting an association that began as an Eagles junior in 1981.

Joined in the home side by Academy of Football Australia coach Fernando Victor and Premier League coach Dave Benigno, Sorensen said he believed the Australian side could go far.

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“I was actually really impressed by the Docceroos’ ability and mindset, they were extremely competitive and hungry for the ball, which forced our guys to have to respond and lift to that challenge. You can see they take representing our country at an international level very seriously and it really tested a few of our boys,” he said.

The Docceroos will tomorrow find out the opponent for their first game on Sunday.