Socceroos hope to take confidence out of final minutes of game time before Brazil World Cup

THE Socceroos will aim to take as much confidence as they can out of their South Africa clash before the World Cup in Brazil.

Australia's World Cup squad training at Oki Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah today ahead of the trip to Brazil. Tim Cahill in middle.

THE Socceroos will aim to take as much confidence as they can out of Monday night’s farewell friendly against South Africa before they face the daunting task of facing Spain, the Netherlands and Chile in Brazil.

Over 50,000 tickets have already been sold for the match at ANZ Stadium in what will be Australia’s final opportunity to bid their World Cup-bound players farewell, and good luck.

Ange Postecoglou’s new look Socceroos have been in camp for nearly two weeks, but there is no better preparation than playing in a match situation.

Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan says training has been intense, but on Monday they will get the opportunity to assess just how much progress they have made as a team.

Socceroos' coach Ange Postecoglou, centre, speaks to players during a training session in Sydney.

“You learn a lot more from a game than a training session,” he said.

“It will be a good test for us to try and do what we’ve been working on in training and bring that into the game. It’s another opportunity to iron out things. We haven’t played together much as a team, so it will be good to get that out of the way on the pitch.”

Only a handful of Bafana Bafana players will be familiar to the Socceroos. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who plays for Club Brugge, recently came up against Lokeren midfielder Ayanda Pitosi in the Belgian Pro League. Lokeren lost the game 5-1, but Patosi introduced himself to Ryan and told him he would see him soon in Sydney.

Tim Cahill making sure he got to every fan till the end as the players waited in the bus. Standing with him is Tim Jelacic. Tim has been battling a brain tumour at just aged 2 years and 10 months. Picture: George Salpigtidis

It’s a depleted South African team with as many as 11 players withdrawing from the squad. But Thulani Serero, arguably the country’s best player, will play a starring role. The Ajax Amsterdam midfielder has played against Tommy Oar, Jason Davidson and Adam Sarota in Holland this season and is highly rated by them all.

After arriving in Sydney on Friday, Bafana held their first training session in Kogarah on Saturday. Coach Gordon Igesund dismissed suggestions that South Africa have travelled with an understrength side for the encounter.

Socceroos' players led by vice captain Tim Cahill warm up during a training session.

“The boys are really charged up,” Igesund said.

“They have a point to prove and I have never seen such hunger and determination. This match might be a defining moment in their careers.

“These are the boys who will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches and that journey begins here. Most of them are under 24 and need matches of this calibre to gain international experience.”

McGowan says the Socceroos will be focusing on their own game as each player attempts to impress Postecoglou.

“It’s our last home game and we’re hoping for a big crowd,” he said.

“We’re not too worried about what they do, we’ll make sure we put on a good show for the fans and leave Australia on a high.”

Originally published as Socceroos hope to take confidence out of final minutes of game time before Brazil World Cup