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Having matched Asia’s best team away in front of their passionate fans, midfielder Mark Milligan says the Socceroos are looking forward to benefiting from fervent crowd support at the pointy end of World Cup qualifying.
Australia arrived in Melbourne on Thursday to begin preparations for Tuesday’s clash with Jordan and the concluding encounter against Iraq in Sydney on June 18.
Two victories will guarantee the Socceroos a spot in next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Anything less and any one of Jordan, Iraq or Oman could grab the second remaining automatic qualifying berth behind Japan.
“Everyone wants to qualify as soon as possible, but at least our destiny is in our own hands,” Milligan told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Thursday.
“That last match against Japan was something we really needed – maybe not so much in terms of a result, but in terms of how we went about our business.
“It was a good start to the three games.
“It was shown in Japan what playing at home in front of a massive crowd can do.
“We are very confident coming to Melbourne that everyone is going to turn up in great numbers at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
“It literally is an extra leg at times and very much needed for us.”
The Socceroos have rallied around defender Matt McKay, who conceded the late penalty that allowed Japan to equalise in the 1-1 draw in Saitama, ensuring the Blue Samurai qualified for a fifth straight World Cup finals.
“It was just an unfortunate thing,” said Milligan.
“It’s happened to all of us at different stages, whether it be something like that or send-offs – it’s all part of the game.
“The thing that probably hurt the most is that it happened so late in the game.
“But it’s part of football and it’s forgotten now from our point of view.”
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