2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia: Robbie Kruse determined to make up for lost time with Socceroos

THERE were no goals but plenty of dangerous slaloming runs from the left wing against the Czech Republic and Robbie Kruse appears to have now shot to the front of the Socceroos attacking queue.

Robbie Kruse says playing a full season in Germany has really helped him.

BENCHED for Bert van Marwijk’s first two Socceroos games, Robbie Kruse appears to have shot to the front of the attacking queue ahead of the World Cup opener against France.

There were no goals but plenty of dangerous slaloming runs from the left wing in last week’s 4-0 demolition of Czech Republic, which Kruse hopes will bear fruit on the biggest stage in world football.

Robbie Kruse says playing a full season in Germany has really helped him.

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Still scarred from the knee injury that kept him out of Brazil 2014, Kruse has been unfairly maligned as he’s battled to regain his confidence with further injury woes setting in.

But a shrewd move away from China to the second tier of the familiar Germany has paid off, with seven goals in 30 games for Bochum providing the platform for an impressive training camp.

“I felt I did pretty well in training the first few weeks. I felt really good coming off a full season of playing, it was good for me,’’ Kruse said.

“But you never know, you just have to keep working hard and see what happens, you never know what the coaches are thinking so you have to see what happens.

“After China I wanted to give myself the best chance for the World Cup and Bochum was that option for me. I knew I’d play every game and that was the main thing for me.

“That was the first time I’d played regularly since 2013. It’s been a long time and it’s given me a chance to perform at the World Cup.”

Kruse relished playing off the left, where he plays for Bochum, and said the Socceroos have made huge progress since the 4-1 loss at Norway when he was a late sub.

“That first goal (against Czech) was exactly what we’ve been working on. We did a bit of video (analysis), it was 19 passes,’’ he said.

“Last camp Bert didn’t have long to work with the team, didn’t know the players quite so well.

“We had a good two weeks before the first game and our performance was quite good. Although it’s a friendly, it’s still confidence boosting.

Robbie Kruse has every reason to smile ahead of the Socceroos first game in Russia.

“It (playing off the left) gives you a better chance to score. Personally, there was a couple of times when the ball was just a little bit off.

“Not criticising anyone but the ball was just a little bit too hard or too short. Once we get a bit fresh, more energetic, maybe those balls will come off. I know things are looking good.”