The Socceroos are ready for their first World Cup qualifying match against Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday morning (AEST) and have arrived in Bishkek for an exciting campaign.
We take a look at their opponents, Kyrgyzstan. Although ranked 177th in the world, they are not expected to bring any surprises, and Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will not be treating this game lightly. No chance.
Many people wouldn’t know who or where Kyrgyzstan is, so here is a little insight into our opponents.
Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan (also in our World Cup qualifying group) and China. Their capital city is called Bishkek, where the Socceroos will play their qualifying game.
Kyrgyzstan has a two-tier football league as well. The Shoro Top League is the top division in the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic, which was created in 1992 and consists of eight teams. The second tier is known as the Kyrgyzstan second level.
The current champions of the Kyrgyzstan league, FK Dordoi Bishkek, is also home to 13 of the 30-man squad that was picked over the past two months for Kyrgyzstan.
Postecoglou will treat every game like a cup final so here are some of the danger men that could cause some problems for the Socceroos’ defence.
Anton Zemlianukhin: Forward
This fast and versatile player was stationed at left-wing for his club FK Radnički Niš featuring 11 times and scoring one goal. But don’t be fooled by those stats, the winger scored two goals in their 1-3 win against Bangladesh in their last qualifying match.
Viktor Maier: Forward
A strong, tall centre forward means he slotted five goals and four assists this season for his club SV Meppen, in the fourth tier of German football. He is also one of the eight players in the squad that are playing outside of the Kyrgyzstan football league.
But the Socceroos won’t be on the defensive the whole game, here are the players that the Kyrgyz will have to look out for.
Tim Cahill: Forward
Who else but the Australian legend that has been the focal point of the Socceroos, since the retirement of Mark Viduka?
He snuck in three goals in the Socceroos’ first major trophy in the Asian Cup in January, making him a scorer in three World Cups and three Asian Cups.
Nothing gets past his heading ability, and that is what Kyrgyzstan are going to have to be careful of with it being no secret that the Socceroos will be looking for the head of their front man.
Unfortunately Cahill pulled out of their friendlies against Germany and Macedonia but he is fit and ready for their cup qualifying games.
James Troisi: Midfielder
A strong playmaker in the centre of the Australian midfield is vital, and between Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan and Troisi, you can’t go wrong with this strong creative midfield.
Showing this year his importance to the national team, including two goals in the Asian Cup, which was also the winner in extra time against South Korea, and the equaliser against Germany in their friendlies in March.
He proves vital in the final third and in Australia’s fast moving attack.
Mathew Leckie: Forward
This season Leckie was a part of the first team picture for Ingolstadt, leading his club into the Bundesliga. He now joins Robbie Kruse and Mitchell Langerak on the list of Aussies in Germany’s top division.
Leckie’s past 18 months has been an amazing ride, which consisted of a World Cup, Asian Cup win and seven goals and seven assists for his club. He has definitely showed that he is European quality and deserves to be at the top and is an exciting prospect come the 2018 World Cup.
The Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers will give Postecoglou and the team a chance to prove that they are truly the champions of Asia. They won’t assert themselves by beating Kyrgyzstan, but by making sure they don’t concede any more than three goals in their entire group campaign – that is a way of showing they are the best in the confederation.
Fullback Aziz Behich said to Goal Australia, “We must demonstrate our flair and earn all three points while also entertaining the fans back home.”
I have no doubt that the Socceroos will come away with a win.
Prediction: Socceroos 3-0 Kyrgyzstan
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