Teammates launch spirited defence of Kruse after social media trolls attack

Socceroo teammates have blasted the ''keyboard warrior critics'' who have vilified Robbie Kruse for his performances in Australia's opening two World Cup games.

Mathew Leckie and Aziz Behich both condemned the footballing illiterates who have made the Socceroo wide man a subject of scorn, saying that such unfounded criticism does not help either the player or the team.

Australia's Robbie Kruse.Credit: AAP

Leckie, who has played in the same German Bundesliga as Kruse for years, said those who had condemned Kruse didn't know how hard he worked or what a good player he was.

''It's sad. We are representing our country as players, he's doing all he can to represent himself his family and the country. For his own people, Australians, to be slagging him off it's not OK and everyone is upset about it.

''He's not playing because the coach has a private liking for him, he does such a lot on the pitch.''

Behich, who plays with Kruse on the left side of the Australian team, was equally forthright, pointing out that Kruse had played in the Bundesliga for years, had been part of the Socceroo set-up for a long time and had been good enough to play several Champions League games when he was with Bayer Leverkusen.

''It's disappointing to see. It's people that just sit behind a computer and have never kicked a ball.

''It's not part of our game. We are out here to entertain and do a job, it's just a sport. Krusey is a true professional and he's a mate. People who criticise him don't watch the game and see how hard he works particularly defensively and wears the opponents down.''