- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
He may lack a single goal for his country but Socceroos striker Scott McDonald isn’t short on confidence heading into the Asian Cup in Qatar.
The Middlesbrough striker is still to break his international scoring duck in 21 appearances for Australia but is set to lead the line when Australia meet India in their opening match on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
Having played in all but one of coach Holger Osieck’s five games in charge McDonald, who was cut from Pim Verbeek’s final 2010 World Cup squad, is keen to repay the faith by making his mark in Qatar.
“It’s good, I’m enjoying playing a bigger part in the team,” said McDonald, who has been prolific at club level for Middlebrough and former team Celtic.
“I’m gradually growing into it and hopefully I can be successful in this tournament.
“This is when it counts, at the big tournaments, so hopefully I can turn it on.”
McDonald spearheaded Australia’s attack in their final warm-up match, a scoreless draw with the UAE on Wednesday, but found few opportunities at the point of virtually a second-string Australian attack.
Osieck has been keen to ease the pressure on McDonald since his appointment, saying he’s interested in his link-up play and creativity more than his goal-scoring record.
And while the striker admitted it was nice to have the support, he insisted his self-belief remained intact.
“I’m confident no matter what,” McDonald said.
“Obviously it’s nice I have the backing and he’s showed faith so I’ve got to go try and repay that.”
The clash with India, rank outsiders in Qatar, looms as the best chance yet for McDonald to get the monkey of his back following a 9-1 thrashing by Kuwait and 5-0 loss to UAE in their past two matches.
“I hope so, I certainly hope so,” McDonald said.
McDonald echoed the sentiments of teammates that it wouldn’t be a walk in the park against the Indians, believing the Asian Cup was a potential hotbed for upsets.
“We saw last time that every team is a threat,” McDonald said.
“We can’t take anyone lightly so it’s a good start for us if we can get three points and it sets us off well.”
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.