Skipper learning every day
After signing for J-League side Omiya Ardija, Socceroo Captain Lucas Neill is enjoying learning about football from another angle.
On the International stage Australia and Japan are close rivals, Neil feels he can learn a lot from being on the other side of the fence.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the 35-year-old former Blackburn Rovers man extolled the virtues of the J-League and the effect it has on the Blue Samurai.
“Everybody in the J League is comfortable on the ball, The only way they can get into the first team is if they have confidence with the ball at their feet and they’re all very educated in movement.
“It’s nice to have a foot in the other camp to learn what they think of us,” . They highly respect Australians, they’re always monitoring our progress as we should theirs. I really like the way they play.
“I’m getting a really good understanding of their weaknesses as well and how to counter their style of play. They all love short, sharp football and there’s lots of intricate passing ..there’s always ways to counter and combat that.”
With his inside knowledge of the Japanese game, as well as huge experience in the premier League, now he is playing regular football Lucas Neill is making a commanding case not only for inclusion into Holger Osieck’s squad but for captaincy once again.
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