Despite missing three defenders for their next game against Iran, Olyroos Coach Rob Baan says his defence will be fine.
By Eamonn Flanagan
Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com at the Olyroos training camp at the AIS in Canberra today Baan said, “This is a vital game, both ourselves and Iran must win. We’d like to see a big noisy crowd in Adelaide to help the team.”
Australia will face Iran in the penultimate group match at Hindmarsh Stadium on May 16 with the two teams level in second position in Group D. Saudi Arabia are on top of Group D with nine points, ahead of Iran (goal difference 3-1) and Australia on five points (4-3), with Jordan on two points.
Baan will be without the suspended Adrian Leijer, Ruben Zadkovich and Ben Griffin for the Iran game, but is very confident in his defence.
“Adrian Downes (Chesterfield FC) will come from England, and hopefully Mark Milligan (Sydney FC) will be fit, so the defence will be okay.
“Nicky Ward (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City) will also fly in from overseas. Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nuremberg) cannot come as his club is involved in the German cup final.”
"Travel for all Australian teams is one of our disadvantages. Players coming from any European team need at least a week to acclimatise to Australian conditions.
“We have had to improvise a lot in this campaign. Some players are playing in the Asian Champions League, whilst others are training alone. Some players can’t join us in camp because their clubs won’t release them. It makes it very difficult.”
Newcastle Jets striker Mark Bridge was still recovering from the recent trip to Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve been back ten days but my body hasn’t caught up to Australian time yet. It is hard with all the flying, but once you step over that white line its fine. It’s great to be back in camp talking to all the boys. We were all saying just how much we were missing the A-League, the build-up each week and the games. So it’s great to come into camp.”
The Saudi Arabian, Iranian and Jordanian seasons are in full swing so players should be fully match fit.
“The Saudi’s were a bit sharper last time for sure,” added Bridge. “But we’ll be ready for the Iran game.”
The 20-man squad for the AIS training camp, Canberra, April 30- May 2:
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), James Downey (Perth Glory), Peter Eleftherakis (Campbelltown City, SA), Paul Giannou (uncontracted), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Ben Kennedy (Newcastle Jets), Greg King (Oakleigh Cannons, Vic), Mitchell Langerak (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Philip Makrys (Bankstown City, NSW), Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC)
Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com at the Olyroos training camp at the AIS in Canberra today Baan said, “This is a vital game, both ourselves and Iran must win. We’d like to see a big noisy crowd in Adelaide to help the team.”
Australia will face Iran in the penultimate group match at Hindmarsh Stadium on May 16 with the two teams level in second position in Group D. Saudi Arabia are on top of Group D with nine points, ahead of Iran (goal difference 3-1) and Australia on five points (4-3), with Jordan on two points.
Baan will be without the suspended Adrian Leijer, Ruben Zadkovich and Ben Griffin for the Iran game, but is very confident in his defence.
“Adrian Downes (Chesterfield FC) will come from England, and hopefully Mark Milligan (Sydney FC) will be fit, so the defence will be okay.
“Nicky Ward (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City) will also fly in from overseas. Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nuremberg) cannot come as his club is involved in the German cup final.”
"Travel for all Australian teams is one of our disadvantages. Players coming from any European team need at least a week to acclimatise to Australian conditions.
“We have had to improvise a lot in this campaign. Some players are playing in the Asian Champions League, whilst others are training alone. Some players can’t join us in camp because their clubs won’t release them. It makes it very difficult.”
Newcastle Jets striker Mark Bridge was still recovering from the recent trip to Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve been back ten days but my body hasn’t caught up to Australian time yet. It is hard with all the flying, but once you step over that white line its fine. It’s great to be back in camp talking to all the boys. We were all saying just how much we were missing the A-League, the build-up each week and the games. So it’s great to come into camp.”
The Saudi Arabian, Iranian and Jordanian seasons are in full swing so players should be fully match fit.
“The Saudi’s were a bit sharper last time for sure,” added Bridge. “But we’ll be ready for the Iran game.”
The 20-man squad for the AIS training camp, Canberra, April 30- May 2:
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), James Downey (Perth Glory), Peter Eleftherakis (Campbelltown City, SA), Paul Giannou (uncontracted), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Ben Kennedy (Newcastle Jets), Greg King (Oakleigh Cannons, Vic), Mitchell Langerak (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Philip Makrys (Bankstown City, NSW), Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC)
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