Socceroos’ need for intensity in Bangladesh

UAE-based Socceroo Mark Milligan wants Australia to bring the same intensity to Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier in Dhaka as they did in Thursday evening’s 3-0 win over Kyrgyzstan.

After a return to the high-intensity approach by the Socceroos on Thursday night, the Asian Champions cantered to victory in Canberra.

Skipper Mile Jedinak’s 40th-minute penalty and second half goals via Tim Cahill and Ildar Amirov’s own goal in front of almost 20,000 fans sealed the much-needed three points.

REPORT: Socceroos return to winning ways

It’s how the Socceroos like to play under Ange Postecoglou and it’s the key to winning not only in Dhaka but whenever they play, says the Socceroo midfielder from Arabian Gulf League club Bani Yas. 

“Obviously them [Bangladesh] being at home they’ll gain a little more confidence from that.

“But we want to start like we did against Kyrgyzstan and try get them on the back foot early and play our football.

“And if we do that, with the same sort of intensity, there are a lot of teams out there who’ll struggle to cope with it,” he told reporters on Friday.

Mark Milligan on the ball against Kyrgyzstan.

The Socceroos were shocked last month with a 2-0 loss against Jordan.

But with Thursday night’s three points, the Aussies are now one point behind the Jordanians in their AFC group. 

The Socceroos leave Canberra later in the day and will be based in Singapore before flying into Dhaka ahead of their qualifier with Bangladesh on Tuesday night (AEDT).

The decision to travel to Bangladesh was reached following on-going discussions between FFA, the Australian Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Bangladesh Government, Bangladesh Football Federation, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

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Milligan, however, was unsure what changes there may be in Dhaka given the short turnaround and travel to the Bangladesh capital.

And injury concerns over Tomi Juric and to a lesser extent Nathan Burns could open the door for other squad players or even those on standby.

“You never know what the boss is going to do,” he said.

“But everyone played well. There were a few knocks last night but he’ll pick the team accordingly to the opposition and how everyone’s feeling.”