Socceroos without Juric and Rogic for Bangladesh clash

Dhaka: Australia’s national football team arrived in Dhaka yesterday to play a World Cup qualifying match amid “unprecedented” security as fears of militant attacks escalate in the country.

“For the most part the players were comfortable, obviously with the game and everything surrounding it there was always a bit of uncertainty but I guess the events in Paris – not just for us but anybody in the world – when things like that happen you want to be close to home”.

Juric was replaced with a groin injury on Thursday night while Rogic had a few quad soreness the morning after the match with Coach Ange Postecoglou deciding to allow the pair to return to their clubs.

With German-based winger Mathew Leckie (illness) also out, it gives Postecoglou fewer front-third options.

“He was pretty disappointed he didn’t bag a few more”, Postecoglou said before the Socceroos’ clash with Bangladesh on Tuesday.

“The fact that he’s still going now and he’s still going strong and he still has the same energy, I think he’s an unbelievable ambassador for our game in terms of making every post a victor”.

“Burnsy looked really good, he looked sharp, he was getting in behind them and causing them problems”.

Melbourne City star Aaron Mooy impressed, while veteran Tim Cahill got on the scoresheet ” but probably should have added a couple more.

Postecoglou is reluctant to look beyond Tuesday’s match, a security-laden hit-and-run mission to the already unstable Bangladesh in the wake of the weekend’s terror attacks in Paris.

Bangladesh, who lost 5-0 to Australia in Perth in the reverse fixture, have now scored just two goals and conceded 20 in their six qualifiers. They are now at the bottom of the pool with one point. A win for the Green and Gold would put the pressure back on the Jordanians – who they meet in Australia early next year for what is likely to be a showdown for top spot.

“That doesn’t concern me, what I know is that if we win all three games we finish top”.