St. Pauli pro Jackson Irvine meets Australia with Peru on Monday evening. The decisive play-off game is about the penultimate ticket for the World Cup.
Jackson Irvine (29, back) from FC St. Pauli is fighting for the World Cup ticket with Australia. © Hussein Sayed/AP/dpa
Fingers crossed from far away Hamburg. “We actually talked to the coaching team about where we want to watch the game,” explained coach Timo Schultz (44).
Even if ex-Kiezkicker and Schultz colleague Carlos Zambrano (32), who now plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina, plays for Peru, the sympathies are clearly distributed.
“I’m definitely for Australia, I think I can say that openly,” admitted Schultz and added: “Of course we’re in contact with Jackson, especially about the games.”
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The Australian himself is eager for the play-off game against Peru. He still has a score to settle with the South Americans. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Socceroos lost 2-0 to Peru in the last group game and were eliminated after the preliminary round.
After the 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates, Irvine remained on the carpet. “We’re happy with the result, but it’s only half-time. Now we need to gather energy and focus on the next game. The job is only half done.”
As in that game, Irvine is counting on the support of the fans against Peru. “There was a good energy in the stadium. It makes a difference because in neutral places it’s always difficult to create that atmosphere sometimes, but the few fans that were there definitely gave us a little extra boost.”
And how is it going for Irvine, who after initial problems at FC St. Pauli had become an indispensable player? “Jackson still has his game against Peru and then two weeks’ holiday. After that he will come here. Of course we’ll keep our fingers crossed for him and watch the game,” said Schultz.
Perhaps on Monday evening there will be great joy not only on the other side of the world, but also in Hamburg.