Battered and bruised Socceroos players have backed their medical and conditioning team to have them ready for Tuesday night’s cutthroat World Cup qualifying play-off game.
Captain Mark Milligan was confident he could last 120 midfield minutes against Syria, but said they would get the job done inside 90 at ANZ Stadium.
He and goal creator Mathew Leckie nursed the most ice packs and battle scars after the 1-1 draw in Thursday night’s first leg in Malaysia. Milligan was targeted by Syria, whose midfielder Khaled Mobayed was lucky to stay on the pitch.
The Socceroos’ charter flight arrived in Sydney about 2pm yesterday after they were whisked to Kuala Lumpur airport and took off within five hours of the final whistle.
Milligan was deployed in midfield in the first leg and coach Ange Postecoglou would prefer to keep the Melbourne Victory star there in Sydney on Tuesday.
“I can physically last 120 (in midfield), that’d be fine,” Milligan said.
“Don’t think it’ll go to that. “We knew we were going to cop a bit of that physicality.
“Generally you roll with those punches and you get a few back, not tonight, it just kept rolling.
“We knew it would be a battle, though I didn’t know I’d be a target.
“We’ll recover well. We have a big advantage over most teams.
“Our off-field staff are unbelievable and they’ll have us absolutely at 100 per cent ready to go for Tuesday.”
Postecoglou remained steadfast in the belief his players would complete their first playoff mission.
Syria justified their third placing in the rival Asian group with a savvy, skilful display.
Robbie Kruse put the Socceroos ahead on 40 minutes, guiding the ball home after a fine dribble and cross from Leckie.
But referee Alireza Faghani blew for a late penalty when Omar Al Soma crumbled under a legal Leckie challenge and Al Soma levelled the tie.
“We didn’t get the ideal result, but it was a good result going back home,” Postecoglou said.
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