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The Socceroos have won the first leg of their two-game friendly series against Greece, with a goal from Matthew Leckie on the last play of the day proving to be the difference.
REPORT: LECKIE WINNER SEES SOCCEROOS TRIUMPH
Final score
Australia 1
Greece 0
The Socceroos are looking to bounce back from their loss to England last week, tackling a formidable Greece side inside ANZ Stadium. Join The Roar for all the thrilling live highlights and action from 8pm (AEST).
Ange Postecoglou’s Australian side went down in a valiant effort to England last week, letting in two goals to one as they continue to find form and iron out their kinks coming into the final stages of World Cup Qualifying.
With two games against the Greeks in quick succession, Postecoglou is expected to do some experimenting with his squad, in what is an almost ideal warm-up game against a side ranked higher than them.
The clashes with Greece always carry a touch of extra emotion and importance for both sides, with such a huge Greek population in Sydney and Melbourne.
And don’t forget the Greek heritage that carries through many of the Socceroos players, including Postecoglou himself. Apostolos Giannou has actually played an international for Greece, but has since switched his allegiance to the green and gold.
The Greek men will be looking to put on a showing away from home, searching for confidence from the disappointment of missing Euro 2016.
Similarly to the Australians, Greece is likely to chop and change a little to prepare for World Cup Qualifying.
They will be missing two key players up front in Kostas Mitroglou and Konstantinos Fortounis, the later having scored both of Greece’s goals in their last international in March, a losing effort to Iceland 2-3.
Prediction
Greece are ranked nearly 20 places higher (Aus 59, Gre 40) according to FIFA, but with a weakened side and a game away from home, the Europeans could find it difficult to get going in Sydney.
The Greek side won’t be as aggressive up front as England were last week, placing a lot more emphasis on defence, so the Socceroos will have to lean on their speed on the counter attack to break through the line.
Draw, maybe 2-2
Can the Socceroos pick up a confidence-boosting win at home? Or will Greece take a one game lead into the second fixture early next week? Follow all the live highlights and action on The Roar from 8:00pm (AEST).
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