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The Caltex Socceroo trio set to rock England

2 min read

Caltex Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy has confirmed playing alongside fellow playmakers Massimo Luongo and Tom Rogic makes international football easier.

The almost simultaneous rise of Mooy, Luongo and Rogic in the green and gold has helped make Ange Postecoglou's Australia a much more entertaining team than under predecessor Holger Osieck.

While Mooy has been a regular for the Socceroos over the past 12 months - starting seven of eight games - Postecoglou has often left one of Luongo or Rogic on the bench.

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The Melbourne City man has no preference.

"They're both excellent players. They're very technical and they're smart as well," Mooy told Goal Australia.

Caltex Socceroos players celebrate a Tom Rogic goal against Tajikistan.

"So when you're playing with players like that, it makes it easier.

"They're clever with their movement and they're always looking to play, so it's very enjoyable to play with Tommy and Mass."

Australia's three creative midfielders have only started two internationals together - a 5-0 thumping of Bangladesh in September and a 2-0 loss away to Jordan in October.

To fit the trio into his starting XI, Postecoglou would most likely need to utilise a diamond midfield with Rogic in behind the strikers, plus Mooy and Luongo playing deeper.

Mooy has experience of playing deeper from his time with Western Sydney Wanderers, which he didn't enjoy.

"It didn't really suit my attributes as much as I wanted," he said.

Aaron Mooy celebrates scoring the Caltex Socceroos' second goal against Jordan in a WCQ at Allianz Stadium.

"So since I've moved to Melbourne City, I've played higher up [the pitch] and they've given me the freedom to get forward and try and create chances."

After a brilliant 12 months with City - Mooy scored 11 goals and set up another 20 in the A-League - the 25-year-old appears to be one of Postecoglou's favourites.

Mooy knows, however, that complacency could be fatal to his Socceroos future.

"I'm not comfortable because there are so many good players," he said.

"It can easily change so I don't think you can be comfortable in the national team but I've been very happy I've been playing the last few games, the qualifiers. 

Massimo Luongo says his partnership with Aaron Mooy is getting stronger with each game.

"They're important matches and it gives me a lot of confidence."

Mooy is expected to start against England in Friday's friendly at the Stadium of Light.

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