Thailand might be ranked No.120 in the world and be missing their captain, goalkeeper and three other front-liners, but Socceroos coach Holger Osieck will be a wary man at Suncorp Stadium.
The reason? Osieck knows new Thai coach and fellow German Winfried Schaefer all too well.
Schaefer has only been in the job for two months but has already started turning things around for Thailand after replacing former England captain Bryan Robson.
Best known for leading Cameroon to the 2002 African Nations Cup title and 2002 World Cup, he has also re-invigorated the War Elephants.
Thailand line up in the World Cup group qualifier on Friday night, courtesy of a dramatic two-leg play-off result against Palestine, winning 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-0 result at home and 2-2 draw away.
Osieck admitted he was on guard for his astute compatriot to produce a surprise or two.
“I’ve known him for quite a while and I know he’s pretty smart and he always tries to find out some very shrewd thing,” Osieck said.
“So I’m aware of that and I’m expecting something in that respect.”
Schaefer must work his best magic with captain and key defender Nataporn Phanrit, keeper Thammasatchanan Kawin and Suree Sukha, Nattapong Samsana and Panupong Wongsa all unavailable.
But he stressed his underdogs had no fear.
“Our team is ready and we are not afraid,” said Schaefer. “This is a very good test.
“We must go out with courage. If we go out with courage, we have a shot for a good result.”
Seen as the easybeats of a group also containing Saudi Arabia and Oman, Schaefer said he and the Thai team were motivated to prove the experts wrong.
“It’s good when people talk (teams down) and we’ll go out and change this opinion of people.
“That’s why I’ve come to Thailand.”
While the recently-signed Brett Emerton is the only A-League player in the Socceroos outfit, the entire Thai squad play at home.
Former Melbourne Victory defensive midfielder Surat Sukha is the best-known player among the War Elephants but Schaefer admitted Sukha’s fitness was a concern and he was crossing his fingers he could last at Suncorp.
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