Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
They say everything is bigger in Texas – and the Socceroos are ready to upsize their World Cup experience.
Australia have officially left their Bay Area bubble and arrived in Dallas ahead of their round-of-32 clash with Egypt in Arlington.
After more than a month on America’s west coast, the shift also marks the start of the business end of the campaign.
The Socceroos touched down in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday morning AEST).
With it, they traded the creature comforts of their decked-out home away from home at Berkeley’s Claremont Resort and Club – who gave them a send-off guard of honour to the team bus – for standard FIFA hotels.
It’s a reminder they now have bigger fish to fry as they chase a maiden knockout-stage win at the World Cup.
“Change is sometimes good,” playmaker Ajdin Hrustic said before the team’s departure.
“We did enjoy our time here. But I’m hoping this change gives us a little bit of a boost, positive energy.
“We’ll see what Dallas will bring.”
Hrustic didn’t have many thoughts on Dallas beyond that.
“I’ll see the hotel and the training pitch. I think that’s about it,” he said.
There will be sweltering temperatures in Dallas – averaging 35 degrees each day, a good 10-15 more than in Oakland, prompting earlier training times.
That said, the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium will bring a level of comfort – but also familiarity.
Those who played at the Qatar World Cup, like Hrustic, have experienced those conditions.
“We played in August in June (2022) against the UAE and Peru, where it was 40-plus degrees in Qatar,” he said.
“Just got to adjust, right? It’s never going to be perfect, but you’ve got to make it perfect.
“You’ve got to be ready, you’ve got to switch on, and you’ve got to deal with it, right? Because what we feel is what they’ll (Egypt) feel.”
Egypt are also relocating from a cooler west coast base in Spokane.
Hrustic is excited for the stage that Dallas Stadium provides.
“Yep, it looks 10 out of 10, right?” Hrustic said.
“So we’re buzzing, we’re looking forward to it.”
