Nasser Al-Shamrani video: Tomi Juric labels fiery Saudi Arabia striker ‘unprofessional’

SOCCEROO Tomi Juric has lit the fuse for a potentially explosive second-round Asian Cup clash, slamming Saudi Arabia firebrand Nasser Al-Shamrani.

Saudi's players celebrate the second goal scored by Nasser al-Shamrani (C) against Iraq during their 2015 Asian Cup group C qualifying football match at Prince Mohammed bin Fahad Stadium in the Saudi city Dammam, on November 15, 2013. Saudi defeated Iraq 2-1.AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

SOCCEROOS striker Tomi Juric has lit the fuse for a potentially explosive second-round Asian Cup clash, by slamming Saudi Arabia firebrand Nasser Al-Shamrani.

The pair clashed just after Western Sydney won the Asian Champions League title at Al Hilal, earning Al-Shamrani a six-game ban for spitting and two more for headbutting Wanderers defender Matthew Spiranovic.

Free to play at the Asian Cup with the suspension only for club games, the 2014 Asian footballer of the year’s latest indiscretion saw him lash out at a Saudi fan before last Tuesday’s friendly at Simonds Stadium, which Bahrain won 4-1.

Nasser Al-Shamrani is in hot water for shoving a fan in Geelong.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said the incident, which was caught on video, was a matter for Saudi officials.

The Socceroos could meet Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals if the teams advance from Group A and B respectively.

Capped 71 times by Saudi Arabia (scoring 89 goals), Al-Shamrani is a key for his nation, but Juric was unimpressed by his fellow striker’s latest antics.

“I guess it’s nothing new from him,’’ Juric said.

“That’s the kind of person he is, at the end of the day it’s not my problem.

“He has to change himself, step away from the spotlight to keep that little bit quiet.

“I just thought it was very unprofessional of him.’’

Juric believed he had much improvement left and hoped to put himself on the world map for football reasons during the Asian Cup.

The striker attracted interest from Shanghai Shenhua (China) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan) but prefers a move to Europe.

Tomi Juric of the Wanderers celebrates scoring a goal.

“I think I’m only near the beginning, because I haven’t played a lot of football in my career. I’m 23 and I’ve only got about 40 games under my belt,’’ he said.

“I’ve only started and got the ball rolling so if I can continue to play games I’m positive I can go a long way.

“I’d definitely prefer to go to Europe (over Asia), it’s a goal of mine. I’ve come back and reset all my buttons and I’m ready to go back and start again.

“I’m positive I can make an impact at this tournament. I’ve had enough experience in the Champions League to know what Asian teams play like and I can bring that to the te

Originally published as Nasser Al-Shamrani video: Tomi Juric labels fiery Saudi Arabia striker ‘unprofessional’