Tim Cahill says the Socceroos can play a part in restoring the pride in Australian sport following the cricket scandal in South Africa.
The Australian cricket squad was caught tampering with the ball during their third test. It has caused an international incident with captain Steve Smith banned for one match.
The Socceroos are focused on Tuesday's friendly against Colombia but Cahill described the scandal as "a sad moment for Australian sport".
"It's a sad moment for Australian sport. We’re very proud of where we come from and it’s time now to try to make right for Australian sport as a whole. We can play our part in that as a team and as a squad by tomorrow night leading on and off the park, setting examples and representing our country with pride.
"I feel, as our staff and group of players, we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and that’s being professional, staying in camp, training hard and fulfilling our expectations from the Australian public of growing our game, growing the sport and creating more followers in football and being prepared for one of the biggest stages on earth, which is the World Cup in Russia.
"As professionals it’s our job to make sure our mindset is on the game tomorrow night. It’s hard in a way but that’s what I’ve done in the past 20 years of my career."
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