Socceroos training session: day 7 report

​Today the Socceroos battled heat and hot winds as they underwent their toughest and longest session yet which culminated in an intense 10 v 10 game.

Watched by a TV crew from Japan, the full squad trained together minus skipper Mile Jedinak at Collingwood's training base.

After an arduous two games in 48 hours and the long flight to Melbourne, Socceroo staff are easing the captain back into action with the Palace man expected to train with the main group tomorrow (Sunday).

Jedinak walked then ran laps and stretched.

For the main group, the keepers separated and began their work after the warm up.

The keepers worked on quick 360-degree turn arounds before facing a shot. It was about quick feet and fast reactions.

The main group of 19 players began with sprints followed by ball work stressing short, sharp passing. “One, touch touch. Angles, angles,” yelled the trainer as the large group worked together in a confined space.

This was followed by more structured passing drills in two groups in each half of the pitch. Passing and movement went through poles set apart about five metres.

After a drinks break (one of a number of such breaks) both groups reverted to yesterday’s intense 3v7 drill aimed at passing your way out of tight spaces.

It also included the keepers who were positioned in the ‘free zone’ outside of the overload area.

Ange Postecoglou spoke to the group before the final drill of the day began.

It was a 10 v 10 game on a pitch roughly two thirds the size of a regular pitch. The game was intense – the first such game this week.

Ange spoke again to the players before the finished another 10 v 10 before the warm down began.

One of the sides in this 10 v 10 game was: Ryan, Behich, Sainsbury, Spiranovic, McKay, Antonis, Bresciano, Troisi, Burns and Cahill.

The session lasted almost 90 minutes.

One of the onlookers today was former Socceroo Alan Davidson, father of current Socceroo Jason Davidson.

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