McKay looks forward to hometown showdown

Brisbane product and Qantas Socceroo Matt McKay can’t wait to return home to spearhead Australia’s charge in June’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Japan at Brisbane Stadium.

Brisbane product and Qantas Socceroo Matt McKay can-t wait to return home to spearhead Australia-s charge in June-s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Japan at Brisbane Stadium.

McKay, 29, has been in the Korea Republic since the beginning of the 2012 K-League season, where his club, Busan I-Park, have made an impressive start to the campaign.

The first Brisbane Roar captain to lift the Hyundai A-League Championship trophy, McKay hopes to continue his domestic form and international progress in front of his hometown audience on 12 June.

“I-m really excited, I haven-t been home since the last World Cup qualifier we had there against Thailand,” said McKay.

“I-m really looking forward to seeing the family again and hopefully have a strong game and get the result we need against Japan.”

McKay burst onto the international scene ahead of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

Though first capped for the Qantas Socceroos in 2006, it was not until January last year that McKay emerged as a genuine first choice option for coach Holger Osieck.

Now a cornerstone of Australia-s march towards Brazil in 2014, McKay will again be fundamental to the Qantas Socceroos- chances against Japan, whose wonder kid Shinji Kagawa - rumoured to be Manchester United-bound - looms as the visitors most significant threat.

“Kagawa, at Borussia Dortmund, he-s had an incredible season, he-s won the German Bundesliga and the German Cup as well,” said McKay.

“He-s on the move and one that we-ll keep an eye out for.”

The Qantas Socceroos begin their final phase of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a clash against Oman in Muscat on Friday, 8 June.

Soon after, the Qantas Socceroos will host Japan in their first home fixture of the fourth stage of Asia-s FIFA World Cup qualification process on Tuesday, 12 June at Brisbane-s Suncorp Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm.

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