- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Socceroo who knows Japan’s most potent weapon best has warned conceding free-kicks around the box could spell hara-kiri for Australia’s World Cup qualifier hopes on Wednesday night.
Striker Scott McDonald knows well just what a threat his Glasgow Celtic teammate and Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura poses.
That’s because McDonald has the luxury of being the target for most of Nakamura’s pinpoint free-kicks when they play together in the Scottish league – and benefits to the tune of several goals a season.
The two clubmates have swapped plenty of banter in the lead-up to the vital Group One qualifier in Yokohama, which will go a long way to deciding which two teams earn automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup finals.
And McDonald recognises his good mate must be nullified if the Socceroos are to leave Nissan Stadium in the World Cup driver’s seat on Wednesday night, saying it would be suicidal to give away free-kicks in silly positions.
“His delivery is fantastic. You’ve got the right person to ask because I’m always on the end of them at Celtic,” McDonald said.
“Come Wednesday night hopefully we don’t give away too many silly ones in and around the box. That stops half the threat.
“But (we’ve got to watch) his all-round game as well, he’s a fantastic player technically.”
Yokohama-born Nakamura scored in Japan’s 3-1 World Cup finals defeat in Germany, and was outstanding that day though Australia punished the Blue Samurai late for a famous victory.
He was missing from the Japanese side which crashed to a shock Asian Cup qualifier loss to Bahrain last month – and has been recalled along with several other European-based players to take on the Socceroos.
While Nakamura will start, McDonald’s role is less certain as Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek toys with the idea of playing a single striker supported by several midfielders rather than a two-pronged attack of McDonald and Josh Kennedy.
But McDonald is desperate for a chance to break his international goal drought.
While the 25-year-old averages a goal every two games for Celtic, he is yet to score for his country in 10 appearances.
“I love scoring goals, and I like to score on big occasions. I’m due,” McDonald said.
“I’ll be as hungry as I can Wednesday night if I’m selected. Every game for Australia I’ve felt more comfortable.
“The other players are getting to know me and my strengths, and I’m getting to know them.”
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.