Asian Cup 2015: Mark Bresciano keen to leave Socceroos mark after 2011 absence

MARK Bresciano missed the 2011 Asian Cup but the veteran Socceroos midfielder was never in any doubt that he would be in Australia for the 2015 edition.

Socceroos training at Olympic Park. Mark Bresciano. Picture Stuart Walmsley

MARK Bresciano missed the 2011 Asian Cup as part of his self-imposed national team exile after the 2010 World Cup.

But the veteran Socceroos midfielder was never in any doubt that he would be in Australia for the 2015 edition.

Bresciano was among the 12 Australian players in Melbourne on Sunday who began their intensive 12-day training block ahead of next Friday’s Asian Cup opener against Kuwait at AAMI Park.

It is at that same ground where Bresciano’s 20-month Socceroos break ended with a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in February 2012.

The 34-year-old has never expressed any regret over missing the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, where the Socceroos lost the final to Japan in extra time, but it is clear he is desperate to leave his mark this time around on home soil.

“At that time I wasn’t a part of the team, but I always had that thought to come back in to the Socceroos and wanting to play in another World Cup and another Asian Cup,” Bresciano said.

“They were always my objectives and I’m happy that I was a part of the last World Cup and now a part of the team here in Australia.

“Any major tournament, being a part of the national team, is important, whether it’s a World Cup or the Asian Cup,

“But this makes it a little bit more exciting and important because we’re playing on home soil for the first time and it’s something that we’re all proud to be a part of.

Mark Bresciano is fit and ready to fire.

“Hopefully we can achieve great things.”

Since the World Cup in Brazil Bresciano has played 15 games for his Qatari club, Al-Gharafa, and another four Socceroos friendlies.

He came straight home after his most recent game on December 20.

“(Form) has been OK and I’m playing regularly,” he said.

“That’s probably the most important thing as a footballer, just to have as much game time as possible leading up in to a major tournament.

“I’ve arrived in to camp fully fit and injury free so I’m ready to go.”

Melbourne-born Bresciano played for National Soccer League club Carlton from 1997-1999 before moving to Italian club Empoli.

He also supports Carlton in the AFL, but joked he wasn’t feeling conflicted despite the Socceroos’ pre-tournament camp being staged at the training base of arch rival Collingwood.

“I support both Carlton and Collingwood,” he said with a laugh.

“I bet that’s never been said.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Mark Bresciano keen to leave Socceroos mark after 2011 absence