MOSCOW, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Australia striker Andrew Nabbout hasn't given up the hope of being able to help his side qualify for the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup in their make-or-break match against Peru on Tuesday, despite dislocating his shoulder on Thursday.
The 25-year-old fell badly in the closing minutes of Australia's impressive 1-1 draw against Denmark in Samara and was forced off the pitch.
It is the second shoulder injury he has suffered in a month, after also dislocating his shoulder while playing in the J-League in May, but rather than seeing that as a sign that his World Cup is over, Nabbout believes it could actually help him make a rapid recovery.
"They say the second time the recovery is a bit quicker," he said on the website Socceroos.com.
"When I landed on my shoulder, it just popped out, but it's nothing I haven't felt before. I will be all right, its fine now and there is no pain, so I will start rehab and see how we go from here," added the striker.
"Hopefully this time being the second time, it recovers a little bit quicker and we can go again."
"I have always got positive thoughts in my mind. Hopefully if I rehab it quick enough, anything can happen, I rehabbed pretty quick from the last one," he said.
Although they have just one point from their opening two games in the tournament, the Australians would still make the last 16 if they can beat Peru and Denmark lose to France and the Australians are able to overtake Peru on goal differences.
Denmark currently have a plus one goal average, while Australia's is minus one, meaning a 2-0 win for the Aussies and a 1-0 defeat for Denmark would see Australia into the last 16.
However, if the Aussies win 1-0 and Denmark lose 1-0, then goals scored would come into consideration and if that too comes even, fair play would be the deciding factor with the side having the fewest yellow cards progressing to the next round.
