Massimo Luongo admits his jet-set lifestyle with the Australian national team will push his body to the limits at QPR this season.
Luongo was part of the Socceroos side that demolished Bangladesh 5-0 in a World Cup qualifying match at Perth’s Nib Stadium last night.
The Aussies take on Tajikistan at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanabe on Tuesday as Luongo clocks up just over 18,000 miles while on international duty in a matter of days.
Long-haul travel is nothing new for the midfielder though and Luongo has a plan to ensure both the Hoops and his home nation see the best of him in 2015-16.
He said: “Last year it was quite difficult and this time we are travelling further away for games so it will be difficult.
“It will be a good test for me, but I’ll be really professional and handle my body in the correct way. I just do the normal things. Sleep at the right times and things like that. It doesn’t really bother me.”
Luongo is a summer signing at Loftus Road having completed a summer move from League One side Swindon Town and has settled in quickly to life in west London.
The style of football on show in the Championship every weekend differs to the matches he has experienced on the international scene and admits that domestic duties can often be tougher.
He added: “It’s very different. In international football you get a lot more time on the ball, it’s on the floor for a lot longer, and we can experiment with things a bit more.
“Here, the Championship is so difficult, so you have to have a plan B, plan C, plan D and that’s what we’ve experienced.”
Matthew Leckie, a Tom Rogic double, Nathan Burns and Aaron Mooy got the goals to fire Luongo’s Socceroos to victory in western Australia last night.
