Kruse primed and ready to rumble for Roos
REVITALISED and match-sharpened Robbie Kruse looms as the Socceroos’ offensive X-factor for the World Cup playoffs against Syria.
Kruse has notched 775 club minutes and three goals for German second-tier side BoHE chum this season, his best numbers since a stunning debut Bundesliga season of 2012-13.
Injuries, limited minutes and contractual sagas have conspired against the graceful attacker.
A step back to Bundesliga 2, for the first time since his debut season in Europe, has brought games, goals and a smile back to Kruse’s face.
“I feel great,’’ Kruse said after yesterday’s training session in Melaka.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has never had the luxury of Kruse in full-flight, with an anterior cruciate ligament injury robbing him of a Brazil 2014 berth. Underdone Kruse returned for the 2015 Asian Cup, before an ankle injury in the final sidelined him for six more months.
Thereafter he struggled to break into a star-studded Bayer Leverkusen side, before he sensationally quit Chinese club Liaoning over unpaid wages.
Postecoglou has the option of playing Kruse off the left where he plays for Bochum or in one of the two central attacking roles.
“He’s showing when he does play regularly, what he can bring and I’m sure he’ll bring that (to the Socceroos),’’ Postecoglou said.