Al Ain: Defending champions Australia endured a tough time in the group phase of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, but goalkeeper Maty Ryan believes the challenges faced against Jordan, Palestine and Syria have only served to make the Socceroos stronger.
Graham Arnold’s side lost their opening game against the Jordanians before bouncing back to defeat Palestine and then had a late Tom Rogic strike to thank for seeing off Syria to finish second in Group B and book their meeting with Uzbekistan in the Round of 16.
And the Brighton & Hove Albion custodian stresses the opening three games have been a learning experience for him and his teammates as they seek to defend the title won on home soil four years ago.
“In my experience there are no easy games, ever, especially at international level,” said the former Valencia man. “These games have extra meaning, playing for your country and you see that in the desire of players when you’re out there and the fans and atmosphere that is created.
"I think we’ve learned the hard way, and in a good way, that when you don’t match that desire and will to win there are either consequences. And there are positives when you do match that, or have more desire than the opposition.
“That’s one lesson we’re learning. Against Syria we came through a lot of challenges because they had had a change of manager and had a big crowd behind them and I’m proud of the team with how we overcame that.
"Putting us in these high pressure moments and as a group is good for us.”
Ryan has been a regular feature for the Socceroos over the last five years and in that time he has played at two editions of the FIFA World Cup and won the AFC Asian Cup.
But with the Australians onto their third head coach since qualification for Russia 2018 was assured – Ange Postecoglou quit after a place in the World Cup was confirmed and was replaced by short-term appointment Bert van Marwijk before Arnold took over full time in July – Ryan and company are keen to make a strong impression under the new management.
That challenge continues on Monday when they take on Hector Cuper’s side in Al Ain, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
“There have been a lot of changes for us as a group for the national team over the last year or so, changes of managers and whatnot,” said Ryan. “It’s a new coaching team and they’ll be in for the long haul because we’re going to be performing well enough to be best the Socceroos team we can be and that there has ever been, so they’ll be around a long time.
“We’ve been building well into this tournament and the only way you grow as footballers and as a team is when you’re thrust into these situations where you’re at the highest level and facing all the difficulties you face at a tournament like this."
“That’s the way you discover things and how you overcome them and we’re constantly in these matches. In our preparations we’re constantly being put under the microscope and put under situations that test everything about us as individuals and as a team in order to be successful and perform.
“We’ve got through the first test of the group stage and now the next challenge lies ahead.”
Source: the-afc.com
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