Aggressive start key to nullifying highly-charged Syrian side, writes David Davutovic

WITH Australia’s World Cup fate on the line and facing a Syrian side determined to bring hope to their war-torn country, the Socceroos must set the tone early.

Mark Milligan rallies his troops against Thailand.

WITH Australia’s World Cup fate on the line and facing a highly-charged Syrian side, the Socceroos must set the tone early on Thursday night.

Much was made of the Chile blueprint being adopted for the Japan away leg, yet the Socceroos finished the game with just one yellow card – to striker Robbie Kruse.

Statements can influence games and while Australia’s Confederations Cup clash with Chile was an enthralling end-to-end attacking battle, Tim Cahill set the tone within minutes of kick-off with his crunching tackle on superstar Arturo Vidal.

Mark Milligan rallies his troops against Thailand.

The Socceroos quickly settled thereafter to produce their best display of 2017.

Cahill’s influence in his 100th game – he implored his teammates to retain their aggression as they walked back down the tunnel for the second half – can’t be understated.

They amassed four bookings against Chile, playing like men possessed and they must replicate it against the “feisty” Syrians.

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Postecoglou said the nature of the Chile game lent itself to more physical duels.

“Chile didn’t take a backward step against us, they came at us, tried to press us. We did the same to them and when you have those styles clashing, you’ll get more physicality, more challenges, more situations where yellow card offences (occur),’’ Postecoglou said.

“But when the opposition are sitting off, it’s very hard to manufacture that because the opponent’s not willing to come at you.

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“Players didn’t change anything, but it’s just the circumstances changed.

“It’s still about making sure we stick to our core principles – dominate the game, dominate possession and hopefully take advantage of the chances we create.”

The challenge for the emerging Socceroos is to do it without Cahill, who is likely to start on the bench.

There are not many naturally aggressive types in the team, but the tone must be set with the midfield quartet.

That’s why heel-snapper Mark Milligan would be ideally suited to midfield, but Postecoglou admitted he must be cautious with a player who’s out of season.

“Every player is different, but growing up in England a lot of the boys develop that (aggression) naturally,’’ QPR midfielder Massimo Luongo said.

“It’ll be important to bring it in these two games.”

The Socceroos must ensure that they give as good as they get, because the Syrians will go hard in their determination to bring hope to their war-torn country.

It’s a fine balance, and the Socceroos must be careful not to whip themselves into frenzy or get sucked in with the inevitable ploys coming at them.

Originally published as Aggressive start key to nullifying highly-charged Syrian side, writes David Davutovic