EXCLUSIVE: Matt McKay insists Australia’s World Cup hopes will be sent soaring at sizzling Suncorp with the midfielder desperate to swap maroon for green and gold.
The FFA has called a press conference in Brisbane tomorrow along with the Queensland government where Suncorp Stadium is expected to be announced as the venue for the Socceroos’ next qualifier against Iraq.
If that is confirmed, with another FFA announcement regarding an international fixture due in Sydney tomorrow morning, then no-one will be more delighted than Queensland Roar midfielder McKay.
As one of the A-League players who has had a taste of training under Pim Verbeek, McKay is anxious for more. But whether included in the next squad or not, he believes the Suncorp stage will provide the Socceroos with a tremendous advantage.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com today: “It’s always a great privilege to play in front of the Queensland public at Suncorp Stadium. It generates a tremendous atmosphere and that can only help the Socceroos. They’ll get a huge boost from it.”
Michael Zullo was the only Roar player included in Verbeek’s last squad for the Singapore game, although he later had to withdraw through injury.
McKay earned rave reviews for his performances last season but has not yet managed to muscle his way into the final reckoning under Verbeek.
He would love that to change and whether it is himself, Zullo or another club colleague, he hopes there will be Roar representatives in the next squad.
He said: “I know from previous experience how a player can benefit from a Socceroo game being played in Brisbane.
“The last time the Socceroos played at Suncorp was against Paraguay. I was involved in preparations for that game and it was an invaluable experience for me as a footballer to speak to and train alongside some of the players from overseas.
“It was very beneficial for me and it would be great to have that experience again.
“If this is confirmed as the venue I’m sure it will give all the boys at the Roar a boost, even though there’s no games for us to try and make an impression beforehand.”
Still, international thoughts are on the backburner for McKay at this stage. He said: “At the moment I’m just looking forward to getting back for training in a couple of weeks and meeting up with the boys again.”
If that is confirmed, with another FFA announcement regarding an international fixture due in Sydney tomorrow morning, then no-one will be more delighted than Queensland Roar midfielder McKay.
As one of the A-League players who has had a taste of training under Pim Verbeek, McKay is anxious for more. But whether included in the next squad or not, he believes the Suncorp stage will provide the Socceroos with a tremendous advantage.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com today: “It’s always a great privilege to play in front of the Queensland public at Suncorp Stadium. It generates a tremendous atmosphere and that can only help the Socceroos. They’ll get a huge boost from it.”
Michael Zullo was the only Roar player included in Verbeek’s last squad for the Singapore game, although he later had to withdraw through injury.
McKay earned rave reviews for his performances last season but has not yet managed to muscle his way into the final reckoning under Verbeek.
He would love that to change and whether it is himself, Zullo or another club colleague, he hopes there will be Roar representatives in the next squad.
He said: “I know from previous experience how a player can benefit from a Socceroo game being played in Brisbane.
“The last time the Socceroos played at Suncorp was against Paraguay. I was involved in preparations for that game and it was an invaluable experience for me as a footballer to speak to and train alongside some of the players from overseas.
“It was very beneficial for me and it would be great to have that experience again.
“If this is confirmed as the venue I’m sure it will give all the boys at the Roar a boost, even though there’s no games for us to try and make an impression beforehand.”
Still, international thoughts are on the backburner for McKay at this stage. He said: “At the moment I’m just looking forward to getting back for training in a couple of weeks and meeting up with the boys again.”
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