Maclaren hoping to survive Socceroos cut
May 22, 2017 - 6:45 AM Jamie Maclaren is hopeful he has done enough to earn a spot in the final Socceroos squad for next month's must-win World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.Fresh from signing for German club SV Darmstadt, Maclaren has been named in coach Ange Postecoglou's extended 30-man squad for the Adelaide Oval clash, as well as next month's friendly against Brazil in Melbourne and the Confederations Cup in Russia.
The 23-year-old had not been picked for international duty since November but was handed a recall due to his hot goalscoring form across the back end of the A-League season for Brisbane Roar, tying for the competition's golden boot.
He is one of only three out-and-out strikers in the squad, along with Tomi Juric and Tim Cahill.
But Maclaren isn't getting excited unless he survives the final cut, with seven players to be trimmed by next Wednesday.
"I've already done what I can do; I've signed in Europe, I've got no more games," Maclaren told AAP.
"It's great to be picked but I can't do anything between now and next week.
"It's out of my hands but I've worked so hard to get myself in this position.
"Once you get knocked back down, it's about how you return from that and bounce back.
"You either sink or you stand up and you continue to stay strong and that's what I've done."
Postecoglou is intent on keeping Maclaren on tenterhooks and would only say he was "in the mix" for the squad proper.
"His back half of the year was very strong and he scored goals," Postecoglou said.
"That gets him into contention again, but we'll see when we come up with the final 23.
"We certainly need some depth in all areas. The 23 I pick, I have to be confident can contribute when called upon."
Maclaren believes his style of play would suit Postecoglou's new 3-4-3 system, which was daringly rolled out in March's qualifier against Iraq and will presumably be retained for as long as he is coach.
"The formation, whatever it is, I know I can score goals," said Maclaren, who finished the A-League season with 19 goals and was crowned the competition's best young player for the second year running.
"But I feel like I can add that movement and take the centre-backs away and let the midfielders do their work.
"The midfield is so decorated with fantastic footballers. We've got that many options, they need to be on the pitch.
"For me it's about giving them space and being in the right place at the right time."
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- FFA wins club v country stoush Dec 29
- FFA wins Olyroos arbitration Dec 29
- Game-starved Maclaren open to loan deal Dec 21
- Australian or not, hire the best man: Ange Dec 21
- Cheap shots tried to undermine me: Ange Dec 21
- Matildas tee up next opponents Dec 18
- Mooy bags a brace as Terriers beat Watford Dec 16
- Matildas go to fourth in world soccer Dec 15
- Arnold dismisses report of Socceroos offer Dec 13
- Scolari linked to Socceroos coaching job Dec 12
- In-form Meredith targets Socceroos recall Dec 12
- Socceroos coach must be Aussie: Merrick Dec 12