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J-League pays off for Josh Kennedy and Alex Brosque

Roar Guru
8th October, 2011
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Socceroos coach Holger Osieck says the national team is seeing the benefits of Josh Kennedy and Alex Brosque’s time spent playing in Japan, declaring the league is helping the pair make noticeable strides forward in their game.

The duo starred in Australia’s 5-0 win over Malaysia in Canberra on Friday night, both scoring doubles as the Socceroos tuned up for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney.

Nagoya striker Kennedy and Shimzu S-Pulse front man Brosque have carried over their fine form in the J-League with the national team in recent matches, with Kennedy netting seven goals in four games for Australia and Brosque three in three.

Osieck, who knows the J-League well having coach powerhouse Uwara Reds on two separate occasions, said he had noticed significant improvements in the players since switching to the league.

“Josh Kennedy, in particular the last season he has become a different player,” Osieck said.

“He’s no longer the guy who stands up front waiting for some balls, he’s getting involved, his play on the ground has improved tremendously, he can hold the ball, he can pass the ball.

“I think he has made tremendous progress over the last few months.

“The games in the J-League definitely help him, same goes for Alex and he played 100 per cent different to what he did here in Australia (with Sydney FC).

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“Sometimes you benefit from different environment.”

Osieck said the pace of the Japanese game forced players to learn to think quickly on their feet, while technical ability was also high.

“It’s a combination between pace in technique,” he said.

“At times, Japanese are a little bit naive tactically but the other two elements that definitely help you to improve your game as well.”

While Malaysia put up little fight in Friday night’s match, Osieck was satisfied with it as a hit-out for Tuesday’s match.

Australia could all but seal their spot in the next stage of qualification with a win and Osieck said his side would head into the match with morale levels high.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill agreed the match was a worthwhile hitout, but knew an entirely different challenge awaited in the Omanis.

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“They’ll obviously come and try and park the bus a little bit but they’ll be quick on the counter and have some athletic players on the wings and up front and we’ll have to be focused and ready,” Neill said.

“It’s important we do that because not only is it a good habit but we need the win and the win will give us one foot into the next round.”

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