Aussies can win title, says Kruse

Sydney, Jan. 24: Australia are determined not to get carried away with their chances of lifting the Asian Cup on home soil despite reigning champions Japan crashing out of the tournament in the quarterfinals. The Socceroos had been expecting to play the Samurai Blue in a rematch of the 2011 final in the last four on Tuesday but will instead face United Arab Emirates after the Gulf nation upset Japan in a shootout on Friday.

“We can be the first team to win major silverware here in Australia, and to do it on our home soil is something special,” Kruse told reporters in Newcastle.

“So it has always been the focus to come here and get the job done — and the job is to win the tournament. In saying that, we take each game as it comes. Some people may say we’re already in the final but we’re not looking at it like that. It’s going to be tough,” he added.