Olyroos to face awful conditions against Thailand in AFC U23 Championships

Only two days preparation, a difficult home team, humidity at a stifling 80 per cent and worryingly low air quality – it doesn’t get much tougher for Australia at the AFC U23 Championships.

Reno Piscopo’s super free kick won the game against Iraq.

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They won’t just be battling tournament hosts Thailand, but the blistering hot and humid weather will be Australia’s biggest challenge on Saturday morning.

The Olyroos must take on scorching conditions and unfavourable scheduling when they face Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday morning 12:15 AEDT, in an effort to keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bangkok for the match is forecast to be close to an unhealthy 135 with humidity approaching 80 per cent.

With time to prepare for their matches already a precious commodity, the window for preparations is even smaller with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) scheduling matches only two days apart.

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Olyroos keeper Tom Glover knows it’s going to be huge test.

Following their 1-1 draw with Iraq, goalkeeper Tom Glover isn’t letting the stifling heat distract the squad.

“It isn’t normal to play every two days but everyone is fit and we have recovery today and a training session,” said Glover.

“We had a training camp in Malaysia to acclimatise. The first few days in Malaysia were tough because we weren’t used to the humidity.”

Other tournaments like the World Cup and Asian Cup have 4-5 days rest between matches.

The team is training in the late afternoons and early evening during similar times to when they play their games.

It’s likely also the only time they can train as the UV index, the measure of UV radiation, is hitting a dangerous level nine, out of eleven.

Reno Piscopo’s super free kick won the game against Iraq.

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Their opponents will be a tough nut to crack. Thailand smashed Bahrain 5-0 on Thursday morning and are quickly becoming favourite to qualify for the Olympics.

With the hosts used to the climate, and a technically gifted and dangerous team, Australia will need to make sure they improve on their draw against Iraq.

“[Thailand] looked good. It’s not going to be an easy game. If we play our game we won’t have any problems,” said Glover.

“I think they are expecting a bit of a crowd. It’s game likes this we have to win and that will make us champions.”

Originally published as Olyroos to face awful conditions against Thailand in AFC U23 Championships