Match Preview: Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia – Australians face tough qualifying test

Match Preview: Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia – Australians face tough qualifying test

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Australia travels to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for another away game in the final stage of World Cup Qualifying early Friday morning.

Recent Form

Both sides sit on six points from two games and are hoping to keep their fast start going. The Socceroos had a comfortable 2-0 win at home against Iraq before battling for a 1-0 triumph in the United Arab Emirates last month.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, earned a late victory against Thailand courtesy of a penalty, before two more late spot-kicks gave them three points against Iraq in Malaysia. As a team that seemingly has luck on their side right now, the Socceroos will have to do their best to take that factor out of the equation.

An old friend

The Saudi lineup features ‘the Spitter’ Nassir Al Shamrani, who Australian audiences will know from the 2014 Asian Champions League final. With Matthew Spiranovic in the Socceroos setup, the chance of those two clashing on the field would be fairly high if Al Shamrani is selected to play. It will be worth watching to see if his temper has been curbed at all in the last two years.

Health Concerns

Australia is not coming into this qualifying period with the healthiest defensive group. Mat Ryan has been struggling at Valencia with a knee issue, but according to the Herald Sun he fully participated in the Socceroos first training session which suggests he will be able to play. Meanwhile, the defending stocks are one short after Milos Degenek was ruled out due to a knee injury, with Apo Giannou has been called in to replace him.

Predicted Lineup

Traditional football logic suggests that the Socceroos should opt for a slightly more defensive setup away from home. But if there is one thing Ange Postecoglu has taught us, it is that he is not afraid to try and dominate the game away on enemy territory. With that in mind he puts the three primary ball players on the pitch from the outset with a 4-4-2 diamond formation. Mile Jedinak keeps his position as the screener in front of the defenders, which will allow Ryan McGowan and Brad Smith to overlap. Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo and Tom Rogic will be asked to dictate the play and assert the midfield dominance. The risk here is that there will be too many trying to act as the primary playmaker, but this is where their time together will hopefully pay off.

SocceroosSaudi-compressor

Player to watch – Mathew Leckie

Perhaps the fastest player on the pitch for the Socceroos, Leckie’s pace will be key to getting in behind the Saudi defence. It will be very important for him to take advantage of the chances on offer, so that the Socceroos do not have to try and rely on a Tim Cahill miracle from the bench.

Prediction

The teams will go into half-time equal at 1-1, but a decisive goal to the in form Rogic will send the Socceroos home as winners.

Australia 2 Saudi Arabia 1

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