Jeggo: Caltex Socceroos out to 'make a statement' against Oman

Caltex Socceroos midfielder James Jeggo believes Sunday’s pre-AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ international friendly against Oman provides Graham Arnold’s side with the perfect chance to “make a statement”.

The Dubai clash - which begins at 11pm (AEDT) on Sunday and is live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network Ten - will see many of Arnold’s squad given minutes as the countdown to the tournament gets even closer.

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Australia begin their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ campaign against Jordan on January 6 and an exciting brand of football is expected from Arnold's side.

“The Oman game is a big game - for not just the team but for the individuals,” Jeggo said.

“I think, as a team, it’s a chance for us to go out there and make a statement and win the game and really set ourselves up going into the first game.

“‘Arnie’ always speaks about [how] every game we should be improving, we should be getting better and tomorrow is the next chance to do that.

“It’s a chance for every player to go out there and give ‘Arnie’ a headache and [be] trying to push your way into the starting eleven and that’s something you should be doing every day in training.

“The games are just another opportunity to do that.”

Jeggo said his November debut for the Caltex Socceroos against Lebanon had given him “a taste of what it’s all about and you want more”.

The midfielder was a late inclusion in Australia’s 23-man squad for AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ after Aaron Mooy pulled out with a knee injury.

“You’re always disappointed when you’re not in the initial 23 but I knew that I was on standby and I knew that there was a chance that ‘Azza’ might not make it and that there was a good chance that I’d come in if that was the case,” he said.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here now.”

Jeggo believes he offers Arnold something a bit different, too, having developed his game as a defensive midfielder in Austria in recent years.

“A lot of the midfielders here are very good going forward, box-to-box players and my game has developed a bit differently,” he added.

“It’s a long tournament and you need your squad and there may be games that you need different things and that’s where potentially I can be an option.

“It’s about me training well and putting my best foot forward to try and force my way in.”