There were mixed fortunes for a pair of Caltex Socceroos in Japan overnight with Nathan Burns seeing some vital game time while former Mariners star Mitch Duke suffered a narrow defeat.
Nathan Burns
In positive news for the Socceroos, the former Wellington Phoenix striker saw his first action of the new season, playing just over an hour in FC Tokyo’s crushing 6-0 win over Vegalta Sendai in the J-League Cup.
After missing the squad for Tokyo’s opening three J-League games, Burns was left out of Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man Socceroos squad for this month’s World Cup Qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.
But his latest showing is sure to encourage the Socceroos boss ahead of June’s crucial WCQ against Saudi Arabia and the blockbuster friendly against Brazil on home soil.
Mitch Duke
The ex-Central Coast striker got through a full game for Shimizu S-Pulse in his side’s 1-0 loss away to Kashiwa Reysol in the J-League Cup.
Duke’s 90-minute performance is his first real action of the season, after being an injury-time substitute in just one of his side’s opening three J-League fixtures.
Milos Degenek
The versatile defender will come into Socceroos camp fresh after being an unused substitute in Yokohama F Marinos’ 2-0 Cup loss away Cerezo Osaka.
Yokohama are again in action on Saturday (AEDT) at home to Albirex Niigata in the League.
The Caltex Socceroos tackle UAE in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Sydney on March 28. Click here for tickets.