SOCCEROOS defender Trent Sainsbury has pleaded for the nation to get behind the team, as World Cup qualification reaches its climax.
Australia hosts world no. 1 Brazil at the MCG on Tuesday before departing for Russia on Wednesday to battle more world heavyweights at the Confederations Cup.
Bournemouth fullback Brad Smith has been ruled out of ‘Super June’ after it was revealed that he strained a hamstring in the first-half of the win over Saudi Arabia last Thursday.
Former Melbourne City star Aziz Behich, who replaced Smith at halftime, is favoured to replace Smith in the first XI while Rosenborg’s Alex Gersbach was drafted into the 23-man squad.
Sainsbury felt the negative reaction to the 3-2 win, which leaves the Socceroos in a good position to qualify for Russia 2018, was unfair.
Trent Sainsbury thinks criticism of the Socceroos has been unfairSource:News Corp Australia
“It just seems like everything that we do these days is getting hammered, especially in the media,’’ Sainsbury said.
“It’s nice for ourselves to stay together and get the three points and we won’t worry about what people say on the outside.
“It fortifies the unit and belief that we’ve got. It would just be nice for the Australian public to be on our side.
“We don’t focus on it but it’s hard to ignore when it comes up every single day and it’s the same nit-picky stuff that makes the headlines instead of the three points.
“We made it difficult for ourselves, but our objective was to win and we did that.
“We’re working hard and we’re trying to achieve the goals and objectives that we’ve set out, to win and qualify for the World Cup and do it our way.’’
Sainsbury has urged fans to get behind the team amid ongoing criticismSource:News Corp Australia
Mark Milligan is one of the certain inclusions after missing last Thursday’s clash in Adelaide through suspension.
Like Sainsbury, who was on loan from Jiangsu Suning to Inter Milan, UAE-based Milligan could find a new home in coming months but felt that Asian teams like Saudi Arabia remained underrated.
“We’re in a pretty good place leading into August,’’ Milligan said.
“That was a very important result. They’re a very good side, a lot of people underestimate that and don’t understand the quality we do face.
“Second half we did well, a very good goal from Tommy, but again a goal that did come from within what we do and train for and structures we work on.’’
Sainsbury said Brazil would be a great yardstick for the emerging Socceroos.
“It’s a nice game to see where we’re at, we get to gauge ourselves against one of the world’s best (teams) some of the world’s best players,’’ Sainsbury said.
“We’ve got to go out there with a good game plan and strong mentality if we’re going to win put on a show for the home fans.’’
Originally published as Socceroo laments ‘media hammering’
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