Defender Trent Sainsbury says the Socceroos will not change their style of play to suit the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s searing heat, declaring it is their way or else.
Australia are in Abu Dhabi preparing for their second match of the final stage of World Cup qualifying, to be played against UAE at Al-Jazira Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A far cry from the comfortable conditions of Perth, where the Green and Gold defeated Iraq 2-0 on Thursday, the game is expected to be played in stifling temperatures in excess 35 degrees.
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While that will likely present an additional hurdle for Ange Postecoglou’s side, Sainsbury insisted there would be no change in plans to suit the setting.
“The most difficult thing for us will be the weather,” Sainsbury said.
“They (UAE) are obviously a very good side, they’ve got very talented players who can change the game so we’ve got to be careful.
“But at the same time, we’re not going to change for anyone. It’s our game plan or the highway, as Ange (Postecoglou) would say.
“We’ll go out there and look for three points and try to put in a good performance in terms of the football we want to play, the style we want to play.”
Like Australia, UAE are preparing for the match on the back of a first-up win, having upset qualification regulars Japan in Saitama.
A brace from Ahmed Khalil was enough for Eyal Zayed to secure a priceless 2-1 victory.
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