Socceroos training report Sunday Jan 25

The Socceroos held their first training session in Newcastle on Sunday and appear to have slight concerns over the fitness of Mat Leckie and Ivan Franjic, with the pair unable to complete the session.

Leckie and Franjic completed a light warm-up with the main group before breaking off for some light running and stretching exercises.

However both players were spotted with ice packs on their left hamstrings mid-way through the session. 

The playing group completed a light warm-up before breaking up into groups - goalkeepers, light-training and the main group.

Cahill, Kruse, Sainsbury, Luongo, Leckie and Franjic continued with some light running exercises and walking laps before finishing with some stretching.

The main group kicked off the session with a high intensity passing drill, focusing on one-touch, movement and communication.

“Ball speed, move, touch, touch,” yelled the trainer.

The goalkeeping group kicked off their session with one and two-touch passing drills before moving onto to close-range reflex saves.

Goal-keeping coach Tony Franken then pushed the shot-stoppers into making repeat efforts - saving low drives from an acute angle before quickly recovering to stop high drives from 10 yards.

The main group progressed to an 8v4 possession drill which emphasised the need for fast ball movement, one-touch, forward movement and pressing.

“Forward, quickly, don’t go back” was the message.

Defenders were urged to shut down the ball while the attacking side were instructed to recycle the ball quickly and with purpose.

Players alternated between attack and defence with the group urged to maintain their intensity throughout.

Matthew Spiranovic broke away from the main group towards the end of the session and completed some ball work and agility exercises in isolation.

The group converged at the end of the session for some light stretching exercises before Matt McKay and Mark Bresciano had some fun for the cameras with a juggle-off.

 Jason Davidson was spotted with some ice on his knee following the session but it appeared only precautionary.

Matt Spiranovic also appeared slightly ginger following training but is expected to be fit for Tuesday night.

The session lasted around 40 minutes before the Socceroos returned to their hotel for a light recovery.