Abu Dhabi: James Jeggo has vowed to make the most of his chance after receiving a late call-up to be part of Australia's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign.



Midfielder Jeggo, who plays his club football with Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga, was a late inclusion in Australia’s 23-man squad for the Continental showpiece after Aaron Mooy pulled out with a knee injury.

His disappointment at having missed out turned to joy and Jeggo says he is determined to play a key role as Australia prepare to defend the title they won four years ago on home soil.



“You’re always disappointed when you’re not in the initial 23 but I knew that I was on standby and I knew that there was a chance that ‘Azza’ might not make it and that there was a good chance that I’d come in if that was the case,” he said.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here now.”

Jeggo, 26, believes he offers Arnold something a bit different, too, having developed his game as a defensive midfielder in Austria in recent years.

“A lot of the midfielders here are very good going forward, box-to-box players and my game has developed a bit differently,” he added.

Having made his national team debut in November when he came on as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Lebanon, Jeggo knows he has to fight hard to earn a place in the Australian lineup.

“It’s a long tournament and you need your squad and there may be games that you need different things and that’s where potentially I can be an option.

“It’s about me training well and putting my best foot forward to try and force my way in.”

Australia open their Group B campaign against Jordan on January 6. They then play Palestine on January 11 and Syria four days later.

Sources: socceroos.com.au, AFP


Source: the-afc.com