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The Doha sun will be shining bright when Australia step out onto the Al Janoub Stadium tomorrow afternoon, with a forecast top of 31C expected, and Graham Arnold’s side will be feeling the heat as their World Cup hopes go on the line against Tunisia.
Anyone who has spent just a few minutes on the ground here in Doha will be able to tell you this will be a hostile environment for the Socceroos, with tens of thousands of Tunisians traveling the relatively short distance to Qatar for this tournament.
While Qatar are the host nation, this tournament feels like a home tournament for the entire region, and it’s that which Australia will be up against tomorrow.
At the Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park, all through the Souq and along the Corniche; everywhere you go you can see and hear the Tunisian fans, often draped in their national flag making their presence known.
While the French fans provided a somewhat tame atmosphere as they put Australia to the sword on Tuesday evening, that won’t be the case on Saturday.
Of course, professional players are used to playing in such atmospheres, so it’s unlikely to phase any of those in green and gold but it will provide a spectacular backdrop on what is expected to be another warm Doha afternoon.
While Australia will be feeling the heat from the stands, they need to bring the heat on the pitch. Their first quarter hour against France was the type of performance that would’ve given Socceroos fans heart.
They played with intent, they pushed up and they looked to attack France and catch them off guard. The plan worked when Craig Goodwin fired home in the ninth minute to give the Socceroos an unexpected early lead.
The problem was that once France started to get on top, Australia retreated to type. As Martin Lowe wrote today, on the evidence of the first match day, for Asian teams fortune is favouring the brave.
Graham Arnold, much to the frustration of a lot of fans, often talks about “Aussie DNA” and wanting to have “11 boxing kangaroos” but, aside from the start, there wasn’t much of that on display against France.
There’s nothing Australians love more than someone who has a go, and that is what they will be expecting against Tunisia as this was the game penciled in as the most likely to earn three points.
The team needs to be brave and Arnold needs to be brave in selection. With only three days rest between games, changes will be needed to provide a freshness to the team.
That brings the likes of Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren or even late call-up Marco Tilio into calculations.
A World Cup debut could also be on the cards for Ajdin Hrustic, who Arnold opted not to use in the opening game. While he still recovers from injury one would expect any minutes may still come off the bench, but if Arnold were to look to use the Hellas Verona midfielder from the start it would dictate a change of personnel.
Arnold has already confirmed one change, admitting at his press conference that Fran Karacic will come in for the injured Nathaniel Atkinson.
But it’s a change in approach Australia will need most if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive for another few days.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
JACKSON IRVINE – As one of two designated No.6s in Arnold’s preferred 4-2-3-1, during the clash against France Irvine often drifted forward, sitting almost as a second No.8 alongside Riley McGree. His workrate and ability to play that box-to-box role is crucial, and his aerial threat adds another dimension to his game.
CRAIG GOODWIN – The Adelaide United winger will be flying high after his goal in the opening game against France. The style Arnold plays dictates that the wingers are the key outlet men when attacking, and it was the two of them – Mat Leckie and Goodwin – who combined for Australia’s goal against France. Goodwin’s dangerous left foot, especially from set pieces, will make him a danger man for Tunisia.
MAT RYAN – Australia will be hoping Mat Ryan isn’t called upon too often, but the FC Copenhagen goalkeeper has often been Australia’s savior over the years. While his club minutes are limited, he has always produced when it counts and with Australia eyeing this as their best chance for three points, they will need Ryan to be at his best to ensure Tunisia are kept out.
WHAT THEY SAID
Graham Arnold – Australia coach
“I haven’t slept for a long time, wanting that so much. And it’s not for me, it’s for the nation – two wins in 17 games.
“You know, it’s nothing more than I want than to put a smile on all Australian faces, it’s not about me at all, if it was about me I probably would have left ages ago, you know? It’s about helping the kids.
“It’s our final as well – it’s probably more our final than theirs.
“But as I said, for me the draw has been perfect, playing France the first game is the best lesson you can learn straight away and we will improve from that and be ready.
“We’ll be in their faces, we’ll be up high and chasing and pressing, we’ll be on the front foot.
“The Tunisians like physical games and we’ve got to match the physical aspect,” he added.
“We’ve got to muscle up and give it our best.”
Aziz Behich – Australia defender
“We’re going to go out there all guns blazing.
“We know what’s ahead of us tomorrow. Like the coach said, it’s going to be a fight, we’ve got to match that fight and then play our football.
“It’s exciting. Personally I’ve been lucky enough to play in hostile environments in Turkey.
“We saw footage of their fans and that’s what you want — as a footballer you never want to see an empty stadium.
“I’m excited to get out on that pitch and hear that hostile environment. It kind of puts fire in my belly a bit more to be honest.”
PREDICTIONS
Scott McIntyre
Tunisia 2-1 Australia
Michael Church
Tunisia 1-0 Australia
Paul Williams
Tunisia 2-1
Martin Lowe
Tunisia 2-1 Australia
Photo: twitter/Socceroos
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