Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos midfielder Mark Bresciano frustrated by lack of playing time

A LACK of football has Socceroos playmaker Mark Bresciano frustrated that he has been unable to show his best form during the Asian Cup.

Australia's Mark Bresciano, left, watches as his shot on goal goes wide as Chines keeper Wang Dalei looks on during the AFC Asia Cup quarterfinal soccer match between China and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

A LACK of football has Socceroos playmaker Mark Bresciano frustrated that he has been unable to show his best form during the Asian Cup.

After two second-half cameos during the group stages, stalwart Bresciano finally got a starting chance in Australia’s 2-0 quarter-final win over China at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

And while happy to be part of a winning team, Bresciano was not entirely satisfied with his 60 minutes on the park, which included the missing of a gilt-edged chance just before he was replaced by James Troisi.

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Mark Bresciano was undercooked and missed a golden chance against China.

“Apart from the uncertainty, it’s hard because, if you don’t play regularly and get that game time under your belt … it is hard for a player to come in,” said Bresciano, whose last full match was for his Qatari club side Al-Gharafa on December 21.

“I felt all right (against China). I am happy to get on the pitch, even though only for 60 minutes.

“I’ve just got to get myself ready for the semi and see what the coach decides … maybe I am hoping he is saving me for the more important games.

“(The quarter-final) was important and semi will be more important. I just hope to get some game time.”

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said the experience of Bresciano, Tim Cahill and skipper Mile Jedinak — all of whom did not start in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to South Korea — was invaluable against China.”

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“I thought those three were really good,” Postecoglou said.

While Bresciano wants more playing time, he can see Postecoglou’s bigger picture.

“We’ve got a good chance to win this tournament because we can rely on all 22 players,” he said.

“Regardless of who is playing, we’ve demonstrated in these last few games the players who do come on have made a good impact and that is a very important thing to do well.

“I think that confidence has built in the team. The last 12 months we’ve grown as a team and we’re starting to believe in ourselves.”

Postecoglou was unhappy with criticism about his resting of at different stages in the tournament and the questioning of his long-term plan for the national team.

“It’s frustrating the hell out of me because people can’t see what I see in this team. We’ve been managing really well,” the Socceroos boss said.

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“I’ll be held accountable if we ever veer away from the plan but we’ve stuck to that plan and we’re delivering.

“The only challenge I see is making sure the players in that dressing room don’t limit their potential by listening to a lot of the crap that comes from the outside.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos midfielder Mark Bresciano frustrated by lack of playing time