Asian Cup 2015: Kuwait coach Nabil Maaloul throws pressure on Socceroos for opener

KUWAIT coach Nabil Maaloul says all the pressure is on Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos in Friday night’s opening Asian Cup clash at AAMI Park.

Kuwait's football coach Nabil Maaloul listens to questions before his team's final training session ahead of the Asian Cup in Melbourne on January 8, 2015. Australia and Kuwait play the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup on January 9. AFP PHOTO/William WEST --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

KUWAIT coach Nabil Maaloul says all the pressure is on the Socceroos in Friday night’s opening Asian Cup clash at AAMI Park.

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Nabil Maaloul is keeping his tactics under wraps.

"The match is difficult for the Australian team as it an opening match," Maaloul said.

"We always look forward to winning the match and we shall play to win.

"We have big pressure too, especially after the national team played a very bad last match at the Gulf Cup, but what we care about is the fame of the national team of Kuwait. We represent the people of Kuwait and we hope this pressure turns in to a positive pressure for us."

Kuwait lost 5-0 to fellow Asian Cup Group A side Oman in November's Gulf Cup of Nations, costing the side a place in the semi-finals and also then-coach Jorvan Vieira his job.

Maaloul has only been in the job since December 7, but said the team was still well prepared.

Usual left back Fahad Awad Shaheen is suspended for the match, while star forward Fahad Al Enezi was left out of the 23-man squad due to a passport dispute with the Kuwaiti government.

While Al Enezi's absence is a blow, Maaloul said he was satisfied he had established an adequate attacking during his pre-tournament camp.

Speaking through a translator, Tunisian Maaloul broke in to English momentarily when asked if his team would defend in numbers or try to attack the Socceroos.

"You shall see tomorrow," he said with a wry grin.

"But good question."

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Kuwait coach Nabil Maaloul throws pressure on Socceroos for opener