My Roos role more than just goals: Leckie

Mar 25, 2017 - 4:32 PM Being Mathew Leckie can be a thankless task.

Often criticised for his paltry Socceroos goal tally, the German-based winger's less-obvious contributions have not always drawn a volume of praise to match coach Ange Postecoglou's avid deployment.

Little surprise then that Leckie felt a mix of relief and satisfaction when his head connected deftly with Aaron Mooy's corner in Tehran.

The 39th-minute effort was not just the opener in Thursday's 1-1 World Cup qualifier against Iraq, but also the 26-year-old's fourth international goal on his 38th appearance.

Yet as he readies for another potential start in Tuesday's must-win clash with the UAE in Sydney, he pointed out there were other worthy facets to his game.

"I'm happy on a personal level (to score) because it's been a while now and it gives me a bit of confidence, but ultimately the result's the most important," Leckie said.

"Obviously from an outsider's perspective attackers need to be scoring, defenders need to be defending. That is, in a way, right.

"But for the style of play we play, the wingers are doing a lot of work in a physical sense and trying to supply the No.9 and the front midfielders as well who are getting into the box.

"I would like to score more and if I get the opportunity, I have to take them and be clinical.

"But I don't think it was worrying me too much."

Despite its obvious implementation issues against Iraq, Leckie was positive about Postecoglou's brand new 3-2-4-1 formation they learned on two days' notice.

Under the system, he and Robbie Kruse's wide roles were not supposed to carry much defensive responsibility.

Yet the manner in which Iraq repeatedly exposed Australia's flanks indicates the pair will need to provide cover against the UAE at Allianz Stadium.

"It's based on trying to stay wide and opening up the game for the guys in the middle and work back if needed," he said.

"It was alright. I play, at times, defensive for my club and I'm not afraid to go in hard.

"So I think both situations I was able to be defensive and offensive."

Leckie is currently the only Socceroo getting regular minutes at the top of Europe, playing for Bundesliga battlers FC Ingolstadt.

Kruse's move to China and Milos Degenek's shift to Japan has left Leckie and Mitch Langerak (Stuttgart) as the lone rangers in Germany.

"All the boys have left me," Leckie said.

"Obviously Robbie made the move, Milos was also around the corner from me.

"But I think I'm enjoying myself now in Germany although the club's not in the best position at the moment we're still playing well."

Source: AAP