Aussies ‘moved on, are focused’
MIDFIELDER Jackson Irvine believes there will be no trouble moving on from Australia’s heavy opening game defeat to world champion France, with the Socceroos having to refocus for Saturday’s clash with Tunisia.
“It’s a quick turnaround, but something that most of us who have played in Europe are used to,” Irvine said.
“For myself, this is pretty normal to try to back up.”
The starting line-up from the night before had a light recovery session while the rest of the squad was put through a normal session, with creative attacking midfielder Ajdin Hrustic reportedly training strongly. The chances of Hrustic, who has overcome an ankle problem but was not used against France in the 4-1 loss, coming into the starting line up for Tunisia are looking more likely.
“He’s a quality player,” Irvine said.
“Obviously we want him out on the pitch as soon as he is available ... I am sure he will have a big role to play in these next couple of games.”
The Tunisia clash will be an entirely different prospect to the France game, which was played in a quiet atmosphere against a team that went from a slow tempo to the speed of sound when Kylian Mbappe, for one, got involved.
The North Africans play with red-line intensity, a trademark of their 0-0 draw with Denmark when willed on by 40,000 screaming countrymen and women.
That same crowd will fill Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.
“The game will flow in a very different way,” Irvine said.
“The mentality has already switched into focusing on the next game and using last night as a platform to build for Saturday.”