Striker Alex Brosque is confident the Qantas Socceroos won’t allow a repeat of their failure in Jordan when their FIFA World Cup qualification journey recommences against Iraq.
Striker Alex Brosque is confident the Qantas Socceroos won-t allow a repeat of their failure in Jordan when their FIFA World Cup qualification journey recommences against Iraq.
The pride of the Qantas Socceroos was dented in Amman last month when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the unheralded Jordanians, but Brosque and company are determined to set the record straight at the Al Arabi Stadium.
The Qantas Socceroos will have been in camp for over a week by kick-off on Tuesday, with an unwavering focus and newfound resolve clearly evident throughout an extensive preparation in the Qatari capital.
“We noticed it straight after the game, the last game (against Jordan), Schwarzy (Mark Schwarzer) and Lucas (Neill) had a real good chat and a strong chat to the boys about not letting this opportunity slip away, what it means to go to a World Cup and how hard it used to be for the teams in the past to qualify,” said Brosque.
“Now, not saying that it-s easier, but, I guess, through the amount of games that we play, it is a little bit easier, if you like, to qualify now.
“But, you can-t just show up and expect that it-s going to happen, after that game a few boys went home and we really just made sure that coming into the next camp it wasn-t going to happen again and I-ve noticed that even from the first couple of sessions.
“Holger has taken the boys in and spoken about where we went wrong last game, what he wants improved on this game and just the intensity at training has lifted.
“Everyone is just that little bit more focused, the fact that we-re not playing the friendly game as well, just shows that it-s all about committing 100 per cent to the game against Iraq.”
Brosque only recently decided to call the Middle East home after inking a deal with UAE Pro-League side Al Ain on the back of two successful campaigns with Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan-s J.League.
The 28-year-old joins fellow Australians Lucas Neill (Al Wasl), Nick Carle (Baniyas) and Richard Porta (Dubai Club) in the United Arab Emirates and has quickly adapted to his new surrounds with a hat trick in the Emirates Cup competition last Tuesday.
“It-s been interesting the first week that I-ve been there, still sort of living in a hotel for the moment, but the club-s been really good in trying to help me settle,” Brosque said.
“They-re a couple of games into the season as well, which obviously makes it hard, they want me to concentrate on the football side of things but at the same time they-ve been looking after my family and making sure all that side of things is good.
“I-m happy with the move, I was looking forward to a Christmas holiday back home, but, that-s football I guess, I-m just happy with the move.”
The Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Iraq at Doha-s Al Arabi Stadium at 5.15pm on Tuesday, 16 October (1.15am AEDT, Wednesday, 17 October).
The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.
Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.
