Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Socceroos don’t have to look too far back to know the danger of getting ahead of themselves at the World Cup.
Australia has one foot in the knockout stage after a brilliant opening 2-0 win over Turkey.
But the coaches and players are well aware things could easily change with a poor result against co-hosts the United States in Seattle on Friday (Saturday 0500 AEST).
Assistant coach Hayden Foxe pointed to Saudi Arabia’s famous opening win over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 tournament – and what happened next.
“It’s one game, and you winning the first game doesn’t dictate where you go in the tournament,” assistant coach Hayden Foxe said.
“There was a good example of Saudi doing that in the past tournament, they beat Argentina first game, and we’re talking about Saudi – ‘how fantastic’ … which is great.
“So it’s a memorable moment, but you forget Saudi didn’t then get through the group stage. They lost their next two games against Poland, Mexico – out of the tournament.
“So you can’t just focus on that win. Fantastic win against Turkey. Memorable, great. Enjoy that moment. Great, excellent.
“Now that’s gone. Now we move on to the US.”
Players were enjoying a rest and a day off on Monday before they get down to business.
“You’ve got to let them enjoy their moments,” Foxe said.
“That’s part of football, you want to enjoy it – and so they should.
“But then now, OK, that’s finished. Now we’ve closed it off, we reviewed the game, and now we just focus on what we can do to exploit the US.”
American commentators have relished talking down and writing off Australia since they were drawn together in Group D back in December.
That will surely escalate this week but coaches and staff won’t attempt to shield players from social media or television comments.
“We can’t baby them. They’re their own selves, we want them to be their own selves,” Foxe said.
“Social media’s out there, they’re aware of media and the comments and what’s being said.
“But we’re concentrated on us. They’re old enough and mature enough to understand what gets said and what doesn’t get said.”
Socceroos dynamo Nestory Irankunda said after the opening match that comments from Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu that they were a “more talented team” than Australia had put a fire in players’ bellies.
“If anyone makes any comments, you do get emotional,” Foxe said.
“Part of it’s how you control it – and they’re doing a very good job controlling their emotions, and talking with their actions, which is fantastic.”
Foxe won’t be surprised if the US, with their pacy attack, try to get the ball in behind wingbacks Jordan Bos and Jacob Italiano on Friday.
“But Turkey were trying to do that as well,” he said.
“We’ve played the US, we know they’re strong, we know they’re physical, we know they’re got very strong players in terms of with the ball, without the ball.
“So it’s going to be a good test, but a test that we know that we can handle, and we’re expecting a real game.”
Striker Mohamed Toure gave himself a scare when he went down cramping in his left calf late in the Turkey game, but avoided injury.
“Just cramp,” Foxe said.
“That’s just because of the workload and how much they were working and running in behind and stretching, and then coming back to defend.
“He got a small cramp in the end but he’s OK.”
