Leckie issues Australia rallying cry ahead of Saudi Arabia clash

Published on: 05 June 2017

Adelaide: Australia forward Mathew Leckie insists the Socceroos are feeling no pressure ahead of Thursday’s FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Group B qualifier against Saudi Arabia, despite knowing anything other than victory would leave an uphill battle to achieve a top-two finish.

Australia currently sit third in the standings, outside the top two automatic qualifying berths and three points behind second-placed Saudi Arabia, who can all but secure their place in Russia with a win at Adelaide Oval.

And with only two matches to come after Thursday’s encounter, anything less than three points will leave Australia in a precarious position ahead of an away date with Japan in August.

“We have no reason to be nervous or worried,” said Leckie, who scored in Australia’s 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates in March as the unbeaten Socceroos brought a run of four successive draws to an end.

“A football game is 90 minutes and we’ve shown already in this campaign when we’ve fallen behind we’ve been able to fight back and get a result.

“We believe in our ability and what we can do, and if we play well against Saudi Arabia it will be very hard for them to stop us, (especially) playing at home, because I think for everyone it’s difficult to come here against us.”

Leckie goes into the game with his club future secured, having moved from FC Ingolstadt 04 to Hertha Berlin, which has given the 26-year-old Germany-based player peace of mind, allowing him to focus solely on the match against Saudi Arabia.

“I wanted to get the deal done and make sure everything was done before I came into camp,” he explained.

“It was very important I had a clear mind, that I didn’t have to worry about any of my thoughts back home and what was to come for the future. Now I am here with a free mind and can concentrate fully on the national team.”

Leckie, who spent two years with Adelaide United before moving to Germany in 2011, also paid tribute to Saudi Arabia and their performances so far in FIFA World Cup qualifying.

“The way they’ve kept their consistency in getting results has been really good,” he said

“Obviously, a lot of the teams in the Asian qualifiers are very strong at home and sometimes they slip up away, but I think the way they’ve got their results has been a credit to them.

“They have a few good individuals who can cause us some problems, there’s five or six of them that are really good in the front third.

“I think they’ve created a mindset in the team, and they’ve picked up the confidence and (now) believe they’re so close to qualifying, so they’re going to come here and give everything and try to get a result, but we’re here to stop that from happening.”

Key to that will be the support Leckie and his teammates receive from the home crowd in Adelaide, and the forward has urged the fans in Australia to turn out in force to support the national team.

“We’ve felt it when we’ve played away, how much intimidation (there is) and how much a crowd can contribute to a game, and that’s why the teams when they play at home are so strong,” he said.

“And it’s no different when we play here, if the fans are loud and cheering us on and making a lot of noise, it’s not easy for the other teams, so hopefully we can get a good crowd and a full stadium to push us on and get us a result.”

Photos: Lagardère Sports

Source: the-afc.com

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