Socceroos confident but not complacent heading into clash with Indonesia

The Socceroos are ‘buzzing’ in the build-up to Thursday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Sydney.

National coach Tony Popovic says it’s right that Socceroos fans expect their team to dispose of Indonesia on Thursday night but has promised that Australia won’t underestimate the world’s 127th-ranked football nation.

The Socceroos can take an important step on the road to next year’s FIFA World Cup with a win at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

However, such is the tight battle for second spot in Group C in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers, and the memories of a 0-0 result when the teams met in September in Jakarta, that the Australians won’t take victory for granted against a team just one point behind them in the group standings and coached by Dutch great Patrick Kluivert.

“We drew with them away, the group is very tight, so there is no reason to underestimate Indonesia,” Popovic said on Wednesday.

“Their last result proves that against Saudi Arabia (a 2-0 win), so that hasn’t crossed our minds.”

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However, Popovic is happy the Socceroos supporters are expecting nothing less than an Australian win on home soil.

“The expectation from the Australian public, that’s what it should be. They should expect their national team to produce, to play good football, and I expect every Australian to get behind their team, which is what we want, and we know that will help us,” he said.

“The players know the magnitude of the games (against Indonesia and China next Tuesday) and how important they are.

“We know what the expectations and the pressures are of playing for the Socceroos, and representing our country, but from what I’ve seen, the players are embracing that.

“They’re enjoying that challenge and expectations, and they’ll be relaxed and confident and prepared.”

Socceroos veteran Aziz Behich said energy had been “high” in camp.

“We’ve always said that within those four walls it’s about brotherhood,” the Melbourne City captain said.

“Whether it’s myself with a lot of caps or someone coming in new, you’ve got to treat playing for the Socceroos like it might not be there tomorrow. With the national team, you’re never guaranteed to be in the next game, it doesn’t matter how well you’re doing in camp.

“The boys are buzzing. It’s been a long break between games.”

Kusini Yengi celebrates scoring for the Socceroos against Bahrain in November. Picture: Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The Socceroos have not played since their 2-2 draw with Bahrain in Riffa on November 19.

Kusini Yengi scored both of Australia’s goals that night, with the 26-year-old striker having made a timely return from a knee injury for his English Championship club side Portsmouth to be named in Popovic’s latest squad.

“He played 65 minutes on the weekend. He started, which is always important,” Popovic said of the former Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers marksman.

“He looked good. You can’t replicate the game time, but we know what Kusini can give us.”

FIFA World Cup qualifier

Australia v Indonesia

Thursday, 8pm (AEDT)

Allianz Stadium

TV: Network 10

Originally published as Socceroos confident but not complacent heading into clash with Indonesia