Familiarity amongst the backline is key for Socceroos says Rowles

Lewis Wiseman // Photo Credit: Aleksandar Jason/Socceroos 1705346970,1705397498

Australia's victory over India in their first match of the Asian Cup was the fifth match in a row the backline has kept a clean sheet.

In those five matches the personnel used has changed each game but the defensive strength has remained very apparent.

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The form as a defensive unit is no fluke as Kye Rowles explained following his solid 90 minutes against India.

“I think everyone's got pretty strong bonds and good connections within the team, so it doesn’t really matter, who is out there playing together, to be honest,” he said.

“The familiarity with everyone in the backline certainly helps.”

In Rowles’ position as left centre back, Cameron Burgess has provided some healthy competition in recent camps.

However, that competition is beneficial to the squad Rowles said, not just in his position but across the board.

“To be honest, it's good to have that competition between me and Cam (Burgess), it's a good little challenge for both of us to get into the starting lineup,” he said.

“Competition is never a bad thing, you're just pushing each other to get into that team and it can only make the team better because you know that you've got to be on your game every day not only in the games, but at training.

“You’ve got to be on it and that's the same for the whole squad, which I feel like with this squad, it definitely is, and it has been since I've been around.”

Rowles also gave a special shout out to captain Maty Ryan who now has 30 clean sheets for his country.

“He's the captain for a reason, he just brings a wealth of experience and leadership skills to the team, and it helps us young boys at the back so much just to know that you've got your skipper talking to you the way through the game,” he said.

“Just to have him behind you gives you so much confidence. He's just a great leader and a great captain.”

And Rowles added that the squad could not be more together at the moment and they are all pushing each other to achieve their goal.

“We understand the enormity of what we can do at this tournament, and we want to make a deep run and try and win it,” he said.

“Everyone's just going full throttle and we're so focused on the main goal in winning it, and if that means when we get out on the training pitch everyone is pushing each other, or whether it's a recovery session, or a full-tilt session, everyone's on the same page.

“We're just all driving each other to that main goal.”

Socceroos Sideline: Australia v India - AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

SUBWAY SOCCEROOS AFC ASIAN CUP QATAR 2023™ FIXTURES (GROUP B):

Syria v Australia
Thursday, 18 January 2024
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: 2:30pm local (10:30pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+

Australia v Uzbekistan
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Al Janoub Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: 2:30pm local (10:30pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+

Every AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 match will be live on Paramount+