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AAP
AAP
Anna Harrington

Brotherly battles have Baccus primed in physical Cup

In a split-second, Keanu Baccus is spinning through the air, then landing with a thump.

It prompts gasps of concerns - but soon enough, Baccus is back on his feet and giving as good as he gets.

The lightly-framed Socceroos midfielder loves getting stuck into the dirty work and has dished out his fair share of well-timed bumps and tackles in Australia's journey to the Asian Cup quarter-finals.

"It's been very physical," Baccus told AAP in Doha, showing off the bruises on his legs with a cheeky grin.

"That's a big thing that we take onto the field - our physicality. 

"You give it, you've got to take it."

That's unlikely to change when Australia next face South Korea, who beat Saudi Arabia on penalties, on Friday night local time.

But after spending a childhood going toe-to-toe with older brother Kearyn, an A-League Men midfield stalwart seven years his senior, Baccus is ready for anything.

"We had our battles - he was just a bit too strong at times in the backyard or wherever we played, just a little bit too big or too fast, but I caught up pretty quickly, which is good," he said.

"He had immense skill, which I had to catch up on as well after the physicality side of it. So he taught me a lot.

"I used to get called Kearyn a lot growing up and now hopefully I can make my own name and continue with that."

Keanu Baccus. Kearyn Baccus
Keanu Baccus (r) took a few bumps from brother Kearyn (l) growing up, even in A-League Men.

The former Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder benefited from a move to Scotland with St Mirren in 2022.

"I went overseas and had a taste of European football and my confidence obviously improved, I became a little bit more physical as a player as well," he said. 

"I was a late bloomer, I grew into myself and my body and it's done wonders for me. 

"Australia was great, I played over 100 games over there too, but leaving just gave me that competitive edge that I needed to ultimately come into the Socceroos and showcase my ability and my talent."

Baccus was called up ahead of the 2022 World Cup and hasn't looked back - but insists he's not "the final product" yet.

Still with just 16 caps to his name, the 25-year-old holds dreams of playing in England's Premier League or another top competition.

He's got a bright future with his national team, too.

"Over the years with Mark Milligan, Mile (Jedinak), Aaron (Mooy) that deeper-lying midfielder position for us has been filled with very experienced players and he's stepped in and done an unbelievable job," teammate Jackson Irvine told AAP.

"We all know his ball-winning and energetic abilities, he's got that in abundance, but he's been really impressive with decision-making on the ball. 

"As time has gone on he's gotten better as well. I'm really impressed with him."

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