Maclaren revs up for World Cup test
JAMIE Maclaren concedes it would be “everything” to have his name included in Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s World Cup squad when it is announced on Tuesday.
But the value of one more ALeague game to cement a position for himself, and potentially a couple of his Melbourne City teammates, is enough to ensure focus is not lost on what’s to come.
City coach Patrick Kisnorbo has pledged to do what he can to send his own players off to Qatar in tiptop shape, with Maclaren and Mathew Leckie both likely inclusions in the 26man squad.
“We’re happy that we can help the country and our club by having representatives in the Socceroos,” Kisnorbo said ahead of his team’s Saturday showdown with Perth Glory.
“Whoever gets chosen (from City) for next Tuesday, we can’t control that,
but we can definitely help their cause in terms of training them hard.”
Maclaren’s A-league goalscoring record, with a league-high five goals already this season and back-to-back Golden Boot awards, has been enough for Arnold to make him something of a squad mainstay.
While he’s yet to break into Australia’s best 11, he has done enough to be in the 26 and should feel comfortable enough that his World Cup dream will come true next week.
“I’ve always said previously it would mean everything, but you know you only get picked due to form, fitness, health and a lot of factors that need to be ticked,” Maclaren said on Friday.
“And a lot of us at Melbourne City have been playing and doing well and all you can do is control what you can control and that’s keeping your head down working hard and being in the right mindset. We’ve got a game (today) to impress again.”