Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Jackson Irvine hopes to take his game to another level in Japan, and has similar sentiments about the Socceroos’ need to build on their FIFA World Cup performance.
For the first time since their round-of-32 World Cup exit in early July, the Socceroos have gathered together, with a massive test awaiting them when they meet five-time world champions Brazil in Townsville on Friday, and again at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday week.
The two games are part of Australia’s preparations for the AFC Asian Cup, which starts in January in Saudi Arabia.
“We did amazing things (at the World Cup) but we’ve got another tournament coming, and for us to grow, we have to look to progress, and this is a great chance for us to test ourselves against top opposition,” experienced midfielder Irvine said.
“It’s a really exciting one for us to come off the back of the World Cup and progress even further with our football. with new players, (and) with a chance to take the next step again.
“That’s been the theme of even the first 24 hours here (in camp). We need to take another step.”
Irvine said the disappointment of losing to Egypt in a penalty shootout at the World Cup would “always be there”.
“But that’s through the lens of being really pleased with the way we played,” the veteran of 86 caps said.
“After you deal with the initial disappointment, my overall emotion was one of immense pride.”
Following the World Cup, Irvine made somewhat of a surprise move from St. Pauli, the German club he captained, to Japanese outfit Cerezo Osaka.
And while it’s still early in the new J1 League season, Irvine had no doubt he made the right decision to switch clubs.
“The pieces just fit together and I’m really pleased with how it’s going so far,” he said.
“It’s been quite different. I knew the level was going to be high, but it’s very high,
“It’s an extremely strong league. The technical standard is extremely high.
And 33-year-old Irvine was confident that would lead to him becoming a better all-round player.
“There are different qualities within the players and the teams. The flow of the game is different, so I’m learning that as I go as well,” he said.
“I feel like it’s a great place for me to even advance my game a little bit more. I never want to stop developing and adding things, and it’s a chance for me to do that.”
