Tuesday July 10, 6:22 PM
Carle confident he can help Socceroos
A-League player of the year Nick Carle is confident he can do the job for his country if, as expected, he is unleashed at some point in the Socceroos' Asian Cup clash [COLOR=red]against Iraq on Friday[/COLOR].
The gifted and creative Carle dominated in last season's domestic competition for Newcastle Jets before earning a move to Turkish club Genclerbirligi as he also received a call-up to the Socceroos' Asian Cup squad.
But Carle, who has only played four times for his country after being largely ignored under Frank Farina and Guus Hiddink, is shaping as a likely X-factor against the Iraqis in a must-win game for the Socceroos.
While so many of his teammates have struggled in the humid conditions, Carle has continually looked sharp in training.
Tim Cahill was preferred to Carle off the bench last weekend and took his chance well to equalise in the 1-1 draw.
But with the weather conditions meaning squad rotation will be in force throughout the tournament, Carle is pressing for an impact role if the circumstances are right after similar jobs against Uruguay and Singapore in the Socceroos' previous two matches.
"I thought I didn't do too bad (against Singapore) and at training I've felt really comfortable," Carle said.
"As a player you'd always love to play and I'd love to get an opportunity.
"There's a lot of good players here and I'm going to have to bide my time and if I do get an opportunity I'm going to do well.
"I'll keep training as if I am going to play and if I do get an opportunity I'll be ready for it."
Carle said the Socceroos had been wounded by their disappointing performance against Oman and admitted there was "damaged pride" in the Australian dressing room.
"All the boys feel a bit hurt we didn't get up for a win but we'll be better for it and we've got two more games to do Australia proud and rectify that performance."