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Socceroos ready for Bangkok switch

Roar Guru
2nd November, 2011
3

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck says his squad will be ready if Australia’s World Cup qualifier against Thailand is moved because of the flood crisis in Bangkok.

Osieck said team manager Gary Moretti remained in daily contact with the Asian Football Confederation over the situation, which threatens the November 15 match at Rajamangala Stadium.

Thailand is in the midst of its worst flooding in decades, with around 380 lives lost, but reports say it is the outlying districts which have been most affected in the capital.

“So far, we haven’t got any news about cancellation or that we have to look for a different venue,” Osieck said.

“I don’t know how things will develop over the next couple of days.

“We have to be ready that there may be a change of venue but, right now, it’s according to the normal set-up.”

The Australian players assemble in Dubai next week to train before flying to Muscat on November 10, the day before their qualifier in Oman.

They travel to Bangkok on November 12 ahead of the clash with the Thais.

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“We’re all good swimmers,” Osieck joked.

“I don’t think about that – our focus is on Oman first.

“I think it wouldn’t affect us as long as the pitch is not waterlogged and we (don’t) have to play water polo there.”

Osieck’s more pressing concern for the group D table-topping Australians is the desperate Oman side, who are yet to notch a win in qualifying.

The Socceroos won 3-0 in Sydney, but the coach says they need to maintain their focus.

“The only thing is that we have to really keep up our concentration,” Osieck said.

“We can’t sit back and feel comfortable or we’re going to pay for that.

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“They are in a hundred per cent do or die situation.”

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