Burgess on Socceroos experience so far and Lebanon preparation

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Cameron Burgess says he’s feeling excited ahead of Australia's crucial Lebanon doubleheader, as he looks back on his time with the Subway Socceroos so far. 

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Burgess has been an ever-present for Ipswich Town in the EFL Championship this season as the side look to secure promotion to the Premier League.

The defender notched his first goal of the campaign, scoring Ipswich’s second in their 6-0 drubbing of Sheffield Wednesday in Round 38.

With eight games left in the Championship, Burgess said the promotion charge is proving demanding.

“It’s gruelling, to be fair," he said.

“There are a lot of games, they’re intense. You're right in the thick of it."

“But we've done really well so far and have got a lot to play for come the end of the season, that's exactly where you want to be."

Burgess has been a regular fixture of Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad since he made his debut against Mexico in 2023.

He has often been paired with Leicester City’s Harry Souttar in central defence but has not shared a similar goalscoring record and is still without a national team goal.

He said he is not feeling the pressure as he searches for his maiden goal.

“He's [Souttar] obviously got a hell of a record,” Burgess said. 

“Everyone is delighted when he scores goals, and hopefully, I can get a couple myself."

“As long as we get wins and we reach our goal as a team, that's the most important thing.”

Burgess spoke further about his partnership with Souttar at the back and his personal integration into the Socceroos more broadly.

“It's easy to understand what the manager wants to do as well. We're pretty well gelled,” he said.

“We all have a similar understanding and have played a few games together now so anyone new that I get the chance to play alongside, we have a good understanding and Harry’s no different."

“It didn't take long for me to fit into what we do here, and the messages are always clear."

Image: Martin Dokoupil/Getty Images

“Everyone's here because they’re doing well at their clubs and bringing those strengths that you do week in week out at your club is what gets you in the team here.”

Burgess said that group leaders such as captain Mathew Ryan and Jackson Irvine act as standard bearers, but the culture around the squad usually regulates itself.

“They've [Ryan and Irvine] lived it for the best part of I don't know how many years now,” he said.

“There's no cliques in this group. Everyone is buzzing to see each other every time we catch up."

“It's a good group, a humble group. Everyone's willing to work hard, and there are not too many times you have to remind boys of any standards.

“So it sort of polices itself, I suppose.”

The 28-year-old is in contention to start for Australia in the first of their Lebanon clashes on Thursday night.

He commented on the varying challenges the Socceroos face game-to-game, with each match requiring a unique approach.

Burgess said playing for Ipswich in the EFL League One last season has given him some preparation for Thursday.

“Last season, my time with Ipswich in League One where teams would play a little bit different and try and stop you playing as much. So, it’s not too unfamiliar but it’s different challenges and I’m looking forward to it,” Burgess said. 

“We have our principles as a team that we try our best to stick to. Obviously, it's tough, isn't it? Because you play against such a range of opposition."

“I've played against England one game, and next, you're playing against Bangladesh. Two completely different teams from different parts of the world, it's an experience like no other."

“But we're used to that now as a group, and we do the best we can on the training ground. There are meetings and video analysis and all that sort of stuff. We have all the tools to help us prepare the best we can."

“We’ll get to know them [Lebanon] pretty well over the next few days, looking at some footage of them and working on the training ground.” 

MATCH DETAILS:

Subway Socceroos v Lebanon
Thursday, 21 March 2024
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: Start from $20 Child, $25 Concession, $30 Adult, $80 Family via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+

Lebanon v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday, 26 March 2024
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $25 Adult, and $50 Family via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+