Socceroos are fit enough to handle the Sochi heat in crucial Peru clash, says van Marwijk

THE Socceroos say they are ready for anything as they prepare for the hot, sapping conditions of Sochi in their crucial World Cup showdown with Peru.

The Socceroos will not be burnt by the Sochi heat. Picture: Toby Zerna

BERT van Marwijk has declared his team to be fit enough to fight to the last seconds against Peru on, as temperatures climb in Sochi.

The Socceroos take on the South Americans knowing that only a win — coupled with a loss for Denmark in the group’s other game — could send them through to the knockout stages of the World Cup, and the conditions are likely to have a major bearing on the game.

Temperatures are forecast to be around 28C by kick off at 5pm local time, but humidity at lunchtime is a sapping 73%.

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Tim Cahill (R) during a training session ahead of Peru clash. Pic: AAP

Though this is both teams’ third game in 10 days, van Marwijk declared himself confident that the Australians would be well-equipped to run the game out, thanks to their intensive pre-tournament training camp on the south coast of Turkey.

“My experience at the World Cup is 2010 is that preparation is unbelievably important,” van Marwijk said.

“You have to be physically in top condition and that’s one of the most difficult parts because the players came (to Turkey) from all over the world in several conditions.

“We had to wait 10 days until they were all there. So it’s not easy. But the players are all very fit. No we have had to relax more and give them rest because the physical power is there.”

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Bert van Marwijk says the Socceroos are ready for anything. Picture: Toby Zerna

Van Marwijk declared himself “a little bit Australian”, after spending weeks trying to mould the team in his own image.

“Until now we don’t have the best players, but we have shown you can give a good performance when you are a really good team,” he said.

“We want to play in a way where you don’t have to adapt to the opponent, no matter how strong that opponent is. We try to develop our own way.

“I already feel a little bit as an Australian. It was until now very nice to work with these players. It feels very good.”

Australia's Jackson Irvine (3rd from left) reacts as Matthew Jurman and Josh Risdon look on. Pic: AAP

Van Marwijk has admitted he will keep track of the score in France’s game v Denmark, ready to adjust tactics against a side already knocked out but still seen as highly dangerous.

““We are only thinking about ourselves,” van Marwijk said. “We will do everything we can to win that game and afterwards we will see.

“I know Peru is a good team and they have shown that at the World Cup. Although they have not qualified for the next round, they will try to give their best performance.”

Originally published as Socceroos are fit enough to handle the Sochi heat in crucial Peru clash, says van Marwijk