The recent success of Caltex Socceroo talismans Aaron Mooy and Tommy Rogic can’t help but have a positive flow-on effect for the national side and a great showcase for the Hyundai A-League.
So believes Swiss-based striker Tomi Juric who has jetted into Adelaide to join his Australian team-mates for Thursday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
Former Melbourne City man Mooy helped Huddersfield win Premier League promotion while ex Mariners and Victory star Rogic scored Celtic’s winning goal in the Scottish Cup final.
Caltex Socceroos goals breakdown
Top 15 player stats: Australia v Saudi Arabia
That sort of confidence will surely rub off on the rest of the squad according to Juric, who is himself in top form, having scored in four of his last five games for Luzern.
RED-HOT RETURNING STARS
“I was speaking to Aaron this morning and really got into him about his price tag!
“But he’s a really down to earth fella who isn’t one to talk about that.
“I’m not surprised to be honest because you’ve seen how well he’s played this whole season – he’s been fantastic for Huddersfield in helping them win promotion to the Premier League.
“Tom has come back from injury and won the Scottish Cup in the dying seconds of the game.
“I bet they’re both full of confidence coming in with us.
“They’re really important players for us and we need them in this camp.”
HOME COMFORTS
“It’s going to be more important for us to go out and attack and try to win this game.
“We’re playing at home with the crowd on our side.
“We all know how difficult it is to play away from home – we’ve experienced that in a tough few games against Iraq, Saudi and UAE.
“It’s great weather for football here in Adelaide and hopefully we can do the job.”
CONFIDENCE HIGH IN CAMP
“There’s no reason not to be.
“A lot of the boys have done really well this season.
“There have been some encouraging moves for the boys into new clubs and that’s really good for us.
“You can tell Australian football is moving forward.
“If we can keep this up, it’ll be great for us.
HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE CAN SPRINGBOARD MORE AUSSIES ABROAD
“It’s growing and we need to make sure we keep progressing.
“We can’t stop here.
“It’s been improving since day one and we’re bringing in some quality players.
“Every time we bring in a marquee or one of the home-grown Aussie boys from overseas, they come back and do a really good job and then shoot off back to Europe and try to make a name for themselves.
“That’s what we need.”
The Caltex Socceroos tackle Saudi Arabia in a crucial World Cup Qualifer in Adelaide on June 8. Click Here for Tickets
