Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay has been named as one of 17 players in Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck’s squad for Australia’s upcoming international friendly against Germany on 29 March at Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach.
Following an inspirational AFC Asian Cup campaign earlier in the year in which McKay slotted seamlessly into the Qantas Socceroos starting eleven and just days after leading his Brisbane Roar team to Grand Final glory, McKay was already excited about another challenge.
“In friendlies, they usually have a few subs so hopefully I-ll get some minutes and I can really test myself,” McKay said.
“It-s going to be a great challenge after a very successful Asian Cup for the side, then backing up for the Roar and winning – it-s been great.”
Germany faced the Qantas Socceroos- in the group stage of last year-s FIFA World Cup with Australia suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the three time winners and McKay said the squad would be looking to make amends for the disappointing result, regardless of the fixture-s friendly nature.
“We-ll have a chance for a bit of redemption I guess for what happened in the first game in the World Cup,” he said.
“We-ll go with the right attitude and really look forward to the game.”
Despite a busy twelve months with Brisbane Roar and Qantas Socceroos, McKay was adamant his body was up to the task.
“My body has been amazing all year,” he said.
“It-s really held out in all the rigours, travelling to Doha, coming back and the heavy schedule that we-ve had so I-m really looking forward to another game.”
Qantas Socceroos squad: Tim CAHILL (Everton FC, England), David CARNEY (Blackpool FC, England), Brett EMERTON (Blackburn Rovers, England), Brett HOLMAN (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Mile JEDINAK (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey), Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Neil KILKENNY (Leeds United FC, England), Robbie KRUSE (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Mitchell LANGERAK (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Jon McKAIN (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Matt McKAY (Brisbane Roar, Australia), Lucas NEILL (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sasa OGNENOVSKI (Seongnam Ilhwa, Korea Republic), Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Mark SCHWARZER (Fulham FC, England), Carl VALERI (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy), Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia)
