Socceroos begin training in Brazil

The Socceroos began training in earnest on Friday with their World Cup opener against Chile exactly two weeks away.

Having cancelled training on Thursday (Friday AEST) while they recovered from their lengthy flight, the Socceroos on Friday took to their purpose-built training pitch in Vitoria, their base for the tournament.

They are getting their first use of the official World Cup ball, the Adidas Brazuca.

Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who was one of the later arrivals to the camp in Australia, will train for the first time with the team after sustaining a knee complaint in Germany where he plays for Borussia Dortmund.

Veteran midfielder Mark Bresciano, who missed the farewell match against South Africa on Monday with a minor back injury, will do a light session while Ivan Franjic, who got a knock to the knee during that match, will sit out Friday’s training.

First-choice centre-back Matthew Spiranovic (ankle) and skipper Mile Jedinak (groin) will both do the full training session after also being rested from the South Africa clash.

All players are expected to be fit for their crucial warm-up clash against Croatia in Salvador on June 6 – a week before facing Chile on June 13, with their other group matches against the Netherlands (June 18) and Spain (June 23) to follow.

Australia will have another hit-out against Brazilian club side in Vitoria on Monday – the same day coach Ange Postecoglou will trim four players from the group and name his final 23-man squad.