Socceroos not treating clash with Argentina as just another friendly

The Socceroos have only had to wait six months for another crack at Argentina and have World Cup revenge on their mind.

The Socceroos won’t take a back foot against Argentina. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

The Socceroos are treating Thursday’s clash with Argentina less as a friendly and more of a “grudge match” after their defeat at the World Cup in Qatar.

With memories of the disappointment felt following the 2-1 loss which ended Australia’s World Cup campaign never far from his thoughts, midfielder Keanu Baccus has declared the clash with the world champs in Beijing won’t be too “friendly”.

Argentina has named a strong roster for the clash, including superstar captain Lionel Messi, which has only enhanced the taste for a revenge win among the Socceroos.

“We’re not going to treat it like a friendly, as such,” Baccus said from China on Tuesday.

“We’re going to go out there and try to do our best and win the game. It’s a little bit of a grudge match because they beat us.

Harry Souttar and the Socceroos were gutted to lose to Argentina at the World Cup. Picture: Buda Mendes / Getty Images

“I know how I felt coming off the pitch; a little bit disappointed that we couldn’t walk away with anything from that game.

“So it’s definitely going to be an intense game. I don’t think it’s going to be a friendly, if you put it that way.”

Baccus had several encounters with Messi, who scored a goal in that World Cup clash and again has his eye on tangling with the 35-year-old, who has baulked at several big money offers to sign with Inter Miami to continue his stellar career.

“He’s obviously a great player; he ended up scoring that day and they ended up winning that game,” the 25-year-old said.

Lionel Messi of Argentina battles for possession with Keanu Baccus in Qatar. Picture: Alex Pantling / Getty Images

“But I don‘t want anyone to get the better of me, whether it’s him, whether it’s any other player on the pitch.

“So I am definitely going to go out there and do my best again and try to stop all of them.”

There’s no fear among the Socceroos either, given they were able to score against the world champs and the players believe they have a template to turn the tables this time around with a young squad brimming with excitement.

“We’re not going to sit back and let them control the game,” Baccus said.

“We’re going to take it to them, get in their face like we did in the World Cup, if not more.

“Now that we have played them, we know a little bit of what they’re about.

“But we’re going to take the game to them, we’re going to press them high and also try to get on the ball and control the game at some points.

“We’re super excited. There’s a lot of young boys here that are ready to go and ready to show their ability and show that they belong.”