Socceroo star Matthew Spiranovic says he can feel the “buzz” around Perth with the national team back in town to play on Thursday night at nib Stadium.
The FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia Qualifier™ against Bangladesh is not only the Socceroos' first game in the west in a decade but their first time on home soil since winning January’s AFC Asian Cup.
“We take a lot of confidence from that [Asian Cup win] and it’s good to be back,” Spiranovic told reporters on Monday.
“It’s always a special feeling walking out [to play] in your home country, the boys are really pumped.
“It’s great for the public here as well to come and watch the national team again. There’s is a buzz leading up to these games and from what I’ve seen on social media as well, people are really excited.
“Hopefully everyone gets out to the game and really gets behind us.”
Who’ll start for the Socceroos in Perth?
The home fans will be expecting a treat and a flurry of goals form Ange Postecoglou’s side, which is ranked more than 100 places higher than the Bengal Tigers.
But Spiranovic was cautious about predicting a landslide victory for the Perth faithful.
“You always have to be fully prepared for these games, doesn’t matter who you play,” the 27-year-old said.
“There’s no easy games and we saw that against Kyrgyzstan. We just go about our business, worry about the process and if we do those things right the result takes care of itself.
“A lot of the boys are familiar with the surroundings. Being in national camp knowing what the coach expects and that’s a big advantage when you only have two training sessions on the field.
“That will hold us in good stead. We already know what we have to do on Thursday night.”
Spiranovic was one of the first players to arrive in camp in Perth, heading to Australia a few days earlier with his Chinese club Hangzhou Greentown not playing on the weekend.
Socceroos' global success inspires Asia's champions
The ex-Wanderers centre-back is just three games into his CSL career and feels his game is already going to a new level.
“When they are paying players of such quality the sum of money they are there are some world-class players there,” Spiranovic explained.
“For me as a defender, I’m playing against those players week in, week out. I definitely feel like I’m being tested and that’s what I want.
“There’s an expectation that comes with being a foreigner in China that’s something I’ll embrace.
“The money that they are investing into football there, it’s no surprise that it’s growing. I’m really enjoying the challenge now, on and off the pitch.”Socceroo Match Details
Australia v Bangladesh Tajikistan v Australia
3 September 2015 8 September 2015
nib Stadium, Perth Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
7pm (AWT) kick off (9pm AEST)6pm kick off (10pm AEST)
TICKET INFORMATION (Australia v Bangladesh)
Tickets can be purchased for the match at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
Ticket Prices – General Public
Category A - $120 all tickets
Category B - $80 Adult, $60 Concession, $40 Child, $199 Family
Category C - $55 Adult, $40 Concession, $30 Child, $140 Family
The Shed - $55 Adult, $40 Concession
Active Area- $65 Adult, $50 Concession
Ticket Prices are inclusive of GST & Booking Fee. Transaction and credit card charges apply.
Concession (Pensioner, Student)
Pensioner Concession Card holders and Seniors Card holders (valid ID required)
Student - Full time tertiary and secondary school students (valid ID required)
Child - 4–16 years inclusive (children 3 years and under are free unless they are occupying a seat)
Family Definition - 2 Adults and 2 Children or 1 Adult and 3 Children
National Companion Card Accepted
