Asian Cup 2015: In-form Nathan Burns keen to push for Socceroos starting role against Kuwait

LEADING A-League goal-scorer Nathan Burns is determined to cash his sparkling domestic form in for a starting berth in Australia’s Asian Cup opener.

The Socceroos trained this morning at Olympic Park ahead their coming matches for the Asian cup. Pictured is Nathan Burns Picture: Paul Loughnan

LEADING A-League goal-scorer Nathan Burns is determined to cash his sparkling domestic form in for a starting berth in Australia’s Asian Cup opener against Kuwait next week.

Wellington striker Burns trained alongside his Socceroos teammates at Melbourne’s Olympic Park for the first time on Tuesday after joining the pre-tournament camp along with Western Sydney’s Matt Spiranovic and Tomi Juric.

Nathan Burns is keen to make a big impression in Socceroos camp.

Burns, 26, has been in explosive form for the Phoenix so far this season, scoring 10 goals in 12 games.

That form was enough to convince Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou to last week name him in his 23-man Asian Cup squad.

But Burns, who simply said his main job will be “to score goals”, isn’t content with being just a squad player.

“I’d obviously love to start and I’m going to push for that,” Burns said.

“That’s what everyone’s here to do, no one’s here to just sit on the bench.

“If (it happens that) I have my impact off the bench or later on in the tournament then that’s how it plays out.

“But I think everyone will tell you that they’re taking this tournament very seriously and they want to be in the starting X1.

“Once I get in to camp and start training with the boys I’ll see my role. It’s still not completely clear, obviously I can play several different positions.

“I’ll see how Ange sets it out and maybe I could play a part or make an impact on the tournament.”

Burns was a part of the 2011 Asian Cup squad in Qatar.

He played two games off the bench in that tournament, but hasn’t featured in the national team since.

His time on the outer, he said, has made him more hungry to make his mark.

The same can be said of fullback Ivan Franjic, whose hamstring injury suffered in the second half of Australia’s opening World Cup match against Chile forced him home from Brazil.

The Victorian doesn’t dwell on his misfortune any more, but said: “It’s definitely given me more hunger and I’ve been training a lot harder to make sure I’m ready come the first game of the Asian Cup.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: In-form Nathan Burns keen to push for Socceroos starting role against Kuwait