Forget the big-name omissions through injury, a controversial build-up, and interrupted preparation – complacency is the biggest worry for the Socceroos as they embark on their journey to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ange Postecoglou’s men continue their campaign in Perth tonight against Bangladesh, with few expecting the visitors to pose any threat – that’s if they have even considered there will, in fact, be opponents present at all.
All the talk in the lead-up to the game has been around the withdrawal of key figures such as Mile Jedinak (hamstring) and Mat Ryan (knee). Then there has been the ongoing stoush between the FFA and PFA over the collective bargaining agreement impasse.
But within the camp, Postecoglou will have laser-like focus on the task at hand, desperate to ensure no valuable points are lost.
At the very least, he will be hoping there is no repeat of the performance from Australia’s first match in the 2014 qualification process.
In 2011, the Socceroos were supposed to cruise to victory over Thailand in Brisbane en route to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but the War Elephants had other plans, taking the lead on the quarter-hour mark through Teerasil Dangda.
Led by Holger Osieck, the Aussies were lucky to escape with a 2-1 victory that night, but they failed to impress anybody along the way.
The same could occur in Western Australia this week if Postecoglou doesn’t have his charges on the same page.
As it is, the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory boss has bypassed some of his own rules by picking players currently without clubs or severely lacking match fitness. This was a huge concession for Postecoglou, who had vowed to only select his finest and fittest.
So the pressure is on to not only claim all three points, but to impress with the performance to justify the direction taken for this camp. The champions of Asia should expect no less, after all.
Bangladesh, for their part, will surely aim to cause nuisance value. A world ranking of 170 does little to instil fear into the hearts of opponents, but they will drop deep and look to launch Jahid Hasan Ameli on his way on the counter.
The Bengal Tigers’ Dutch boss Lodewijk de Kruif has already expressed doubt over his team’s ability to finish in the top two in Group B. However, they do have their sights set on qualification for the 2019 AFC Cup, and a third-placed finish.
Having conceded plenty of late goals in recent times, it is unlikely that Bangladesh will be able to maintain the rage, though.
For the Socceroos there must be a ruthless attitude. If they are one or two goals to the good after an hour, they must continue to attack.
It may be early days on the road to Russia, but a five-goal thrashing would be a signal of intent to other nations, while a 1-0 win at home will be seen as weakness. The difference will come down to mind-set.
So it’s over to Postecoglou and his men to get the campaign off to a winning start. A nation now accustomed to success awaits a convincing display.
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