Australia News
Culina Ready To Roll Iraq
EXCLUSIVE: Injured Socceroo Jason Culina has targeted the Iraq World Cup qualifier in Brisbane as his comeback game after tearing his thigh muscle five weeks ago.
To see the Roos in action today...
To see the Prime Minister meeting the Roos and Matildas today...
Culina, who will miss Friday night’s friendly for the Socceroos against Ghana, had his first training session on Monday.
“I’m far from full fitness,” the 27-year-old PSV midfielder told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
“I’m hopeful of the first game against Iraq in Brisbane. Obviously I’m not going to be 100% fit.”
After another long season, Culina looked fresh today at the press call for the Prime Minister and the Socceroos...although it takes work, he said.
“You do get used to it, but you have to be a professional and look after your body, in terms of what you eat, sleep well and train well," he said.
“We do play a lot of games but I’ve been a professional for 10,11 years now and you get used to it.”
Culina arrived in Holland from the old NSL, and his early years were difficult.
He added: “I’ve learned a lot from it. I’d never change a thing. I’m glad it happened. It makes you a stronger person.”
As for the Dutch system in vogue in Australia, Culina has no regrets about playing in the Eredivisie.
“The Dutch love their systems," he said. "And it’s a good system to play. It’s easy, everyone works for each other.
“It shows at PSV, we’ve done well with it in the champions league and UEFA Cups.
“The system does work. It hasn’t changed much over the years I’ve been there.
“And the Dutch league still is still a stepping stone to a bigger and better league.”
To see the Roos in action today...
To see the Prime Minister meeting the Roos and Matildas today...
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