Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Newcastle: Rising Australia star Massimo Luongo has urged the Socceroos to retain their focus ahead of Saturday’s AFC Asian Cup final showdown with Korea Republic in Sydney.
Luongo, who plays in the third tier of English football for Swindon Town, has played a key role in his country’s surge to the title decider, earning plaudits galore and scooping up two Samsung Player of the Match awards along the way.
Having finished second in Group A behind the Koreans following a 1-0 defeat to the East Asians, host nation Australia bundled China out of the competition in the quarter-finals before beating the UAE 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final to set up a second meeting with Uli Stielike’s talented charges.
With an expectant Australia watching on, it is a run of form and momentum that Luongo is determined the Socceroos must continue if they are to be crowned champions of Asia.
“We came together six months ago or longer with a main focus to win the Asian Cup,” the 22-year-old midfielder, who scored his first international goal against Kuwait in the tournament opener, declared.
“The most important thing is the game (against Korea Republic), and we know that if we play well the result will follow.
“Korea Republic obviously have a lot of threats which we have experienced first-hand, but we will learn from our mistakes and look to speed up our tempo and be more disciplined,” he added.
For Luongo, the battle for regional supremacy in Sydney represents another opportunity to further enhance his already burgeoning reputation, something which the livewire midfielder, who has thus far contributed four assists to his side's cause, is eager to make the most of.
“I am a little bit surprised by my performances so far, but I know what I am capable of,” he said.
“To be fair I’ve only been tested at League One level so it is nice to be able to do it on such a big stage. Hopefully in the next game I can continue (playing well)."
Photo: WSG