Tomi Juric confident of making a difference if selected in Socceroos squad for Asian Cup

TOMI Juric is confident of being among the players who can translate solid form from club to country in time for January’s Asian Cup.

Wanderers Tom Juric with the Asian Cup trophy at Bondi Beach , Bondi .Picture Gregg Porteous

FEARLESS Western Sydney striker Tomi Juric is confident of being among the players who can translate solid form from club to country in time for January’s Asian Cup.

And in-form Juric hoped to play a supporting role for talisman Tim Cahill, who’s scored eight of Australia’s goals since Ange Postecoglou replaced Holger Oseick.

Though only capped five times by Australia, Juric appears to be a lock for the 23-man squad, with an extended list to be unveiled next Monday.

Tomi Juric has been in fine form for Wanderers so far this season.

Juric has netted four goals this season, including the Wanderers’ successful Asian Champions League campaign, and shown flashes of his potential against Asian heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande and Al Hilal.

Star-studded Japan, Korea and Iraq are among the teams standing in the Socceroos’ way at the Asian Cup but Juric, 23, said he can make an impact.

“I’m there to do my job, which is to score goals,’’ Juric said at Fox Sports’ launch of the Asian Cup and Bondi on Tuesday.

“There’s nothing to be scared of. I play best when I enjoy myself and if I do then I’m confident I’ll play well.

“I haven’t spoken to Ange personally, but I think it’s quite clear what he wants and the way he wants to play.

THE ASIAN CUP ON FOX SPORTS

All 32 matches live in HD on Fox Sports, with no ad breaks during play

Opening match: Australia v Kuwait, Friday 9 January (8pm EDT kick off)

Dedicated football channel (FOX SPORTS 505) and hosting studio

Nightly 30-minute Asian Cup highlights show hosted by Tara Rushton

Santo, Sam & Ed’s Asian Cup Fever on Saturday nights

The celebrity All-Star match after Fox Sports’ Asian Cup trophy launch at Bondi Beach.

“Timmy’s that kind of player where I can learn just as much watching him as playing beside him and I’m looking forward to being in camp with him.

“There’s a lot of players we can lean on and it’s getting better now. Boys are in form at clubs and that once we gel with the national team things can be good.

Tomi Juric is confident of playing some part in the Asian Cup.

“(Mathew) Leckie, Robbie (Kruse), Mass (Luongo) is looking good in that attacking midfield role and Bresh (Mark Bresciano) is doing a great job.

“For me the goal is to stay fit, healthy and injury free. Off the pitch counts as well and how you prepare - what you eat, what you drink. That’s what gets you the results.’’

Juric left Sydney for Croatia has a teenager but his decision to return to the A-League - with Adelaide then the Wanderers - has paid off.

Brett Emerton and Fox Sports presenter John Aloisi with the Asian Cup trophy at Bondi.

Out of contract at the end of the season, solid Asian Cup form could help him make a big move abroad.

“My contract’s out at the end of the season but we’ll see when the time comes to talk and where I’ll continue my career but I’m happy to stay focused,’’ he said.

“I think I’m in good form and I’m building and my fitness is getting better. I’m in a good place now.

“With my country I missed out on the last couple of camps, one due to injury, the other with a lack of game time.

“But I’ve been happy to be playing at the Wanderers and I’m sure that’ll give me a chance to get a call up for the Asian Cup.’’

Injury and inconsistency robbed him of a chance of making the 2014 World Cup squad, but he was an avid fan from his Sydney couch.

He said there were good lessons from Brazil that he and the Socceroos could take into next month’s tournament.

“I watched it in Sydney as we were in pre-season, I got up for every game and I was very proud to be an Australian,’’ Juric said.

“They put the game to other teams, especially Chile and Netherlands.

“Against Spain we were outplayed but that’s what we’re looking to do now.’’

Originally published as Tomi Juric confident of making a difference if selected in Socceroos squad for Asian Cup