After downing Iraq in comfortable conditions in Perth, Australia will be forced to battle stifling heat in Abu Dhabi to back up the result against United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Temperatures at Al-Jazira Stadium are expected to hover around 40 degrees throughout Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier, but Socceroos and UAE-based Baniyas Club veteran Mark Milligan believes the hot conditions will play into Ange Postecoglou’ side’s hands – if they are disciplined enough.
“Of course the weather affects play (sic),” Milligan said.
“It’s pretty hot at the moment.
“If anything, it maybe suits us a little bit in terms of the way we want to play.
“We want to be dominant with possession and keep the ball and make the other team work.
“If you’re able to do that, especially here in this heat, then it’s not much fun running and chasing a ball around.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Trent Sainsbury: Our way or the highway
Match Preview: UAE vs Australia – Milligan to play key role in stifling heat
“If we can be disciplined, I think our strengths will be enough to get a good result.”
After a season with Baniyas, Milligan has developed some familiarity with Emerati football, including the talent on offer in the national team.
Even boasting the likes of Asian Cup stars Omar Abdulrahman, Ali Mabkout and Ahmed Khalil, Milligan insists there are weaknesses to be exploited.
“There’s some very talented players in this side,” he added.
“They get to spend a lot of time together, they all play in the local league here and they are given the privilege by the league to prepare for those types of games and these types of windows with as much time as they need.
“They have a very good understanding of each other and over the last few years, they’ve shown they’re a very good side.
“Individually they’re very strong, but there’s definitely weaknesses there we can expose.”
Like Australia, UAE claimed three points on the first matchday of the final qualifying round, downing Japan 2-1 in Saitama.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
