Luongo ‘excited’ by Socceroos’ creative arsenal

Key Socceroo Massimo Luongo believes Australia's attacking chemistry is now bedded-in and is excited about what playmaker Tom Rogic will add to the side’s arsenal in upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers™.

Ange Postecoglou’s side will play two qualifiers over the next week, starting with Bangladesh in Perth on Thursday night, followed by a trip to Tajikistan five days later.

Luongo missed the opening round win against Kyrgyzstan through injury but is back in the green and gold and in scintillating form.

The QPR creative midfielder is one of a host of Socceroos to have started their overseas campaigns at the top of their game.

Mathew Leckie scored his first Bundesliga goal over the weekend while Celtic’s Rogic has been sensational and makes his long-awaited national team return.

“When I saw the squad list come out I was quite excited,” Luongo told reporters in Perth on Tuesday.

“I haven’t actually played with Tom Rogic but just from watching him and from what I’ve heard it’s going to be exciting.

“Especially when he turns up in those pockets and you can give him the ball and trust him on the ball…it’s the same with [Mathew] Leckie.

More to come from Rogic

“Unfortunately Robbie Kruse isn’t here but the boys we have in the squad, it’s really threatening in attack. It will be good to watch, it always is.”

With skipper Mile Jedinak out through injury, there is a thought Rogic could win a spot in the midfield three alongside Luongo and the experienced Mark Milligan.

It’s an enticing thought, especially behind a front three of Tim Cahill, Leckie and Nathan Burns who are also in peak form.

“Besides Tommy [Rogic] the attacking chemistry is already there. We’ve been working at it long enough, even before the [2014 FIFA] World Cup,” Luongo said.

“Everyone’s quite familiar with their roles, even if they play a different position in that front half, everyone gets their roles and other peoples roles and it will mix well.

“No one plays off the cuff; we all know what we’re doing and our roles. It will all be quite smooth.”

Luongo has enjoyed a great start to life with QPR in the English Championship, playing a key role in the side’s strong start to the new season.

Massimo Luongo on the ball for QPR.

The 22-year-old says he’s not surprised how comfortably he’s handled the jump up from League One but admits he’s worked overtime on his game to adjust to the transition.

Even with his club form and heroics during January’s Asian Cup, Luongo says he still needs to prove himself in training over the next couple of days to win a starting role against the Bengal Tigers.

“I don’t feel safe [with my spot], I think Ange has put that point across that no one should feel comfortable in the national team,” he said.

“I still I don’t think I feel comfortable. Every time I come here I feel I have to fight for my spot.”

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)

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