Key Socceroo declared fit for Asian Cup as Aussies make big title claim

Socceroos winger Sam Silvera says Australia will not be satisfied at the Asian Cup unless it can repeat its 2015 triumph as he backed club teammate Riley McGree to brush aside injury in time for the tournament.

The fourth-youngest member of Graham Arnold’s squad declared internal expectations were at the highest possible level as players began to join the camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of Saturday night’s warm-up match against Bahrain.

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Silvera, 23, recalled watching the Socceroos’ Asian Cup victory on home soil on TV with his family, but this time could play an important role as a forward substitute after impressive form with Middlesbrough in The Championship.

He said the Socceroos had the talent to match it with any rival at the tournament, which will include higher-ranked nations including potential semi-final opponent Japan.

“I think the expectation for us is that we have a great squad, and we’re going to go and win it, that’s what we’re going to aim for,” Silvera told reporters on Thursday.

“The talent that we have – we’re going to go to any side, no matter who, and we’re going to showcase how we play.

“We’re going to take it to them, we’re just going to worry about us and go and do our best.”

It came after fellow Socceroo Craig Goodwin declared earlier this week: “I genuinely believe we have the squad to win the Asian Cup.

“It’s going to be hard and difficult but we have a good group with a good mentality. We have the potential to do something special here.”

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