Australia confident of dealing with desperate Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup qualifier

The Socceroos can smell FIFA World Cup qualification and are intent on sealing the deal in Jeddah against Saudi Arabia.

The Socceroos are preparing themselves for an early onslaught from a Saudi Arabia side desperate for a quick goal on Wednesday morning to maintain belief that a miracle can be achieved in Jeddah.

The Saudis must score at least five goals to have any chance of securing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification at Australia’s expense.

“The first 15 minutes is going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat and see if they can get ahead of us in the game,” Socceroos defender Jason Geria said.

“The longer the score remains nil-nil, the less motivation they will (have).

“In the opening 15 minutes, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy, but at the same time, I think our defence has shown over these past few games that we’re capable of keeping any team out.”

The Socceroos have only conceded one goal in their past three matches and secured a second successive clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Japan last Thursday night in Perth.

Jason Geria celebrates Australia’s 1-0 win over Japan in Perth. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

They also kept the Saudis scoreless in a 0-0 draw when the teams met in Melbourne in November.

“We’re expecting a very attacking, hellbent, relentless Saudi Arabia, but we’ve played them before,” Geria said.

“We know they attack and know how they can be vulnerable as well.

“We’re all approaching this game as if we have to win. That’s going to be the mindset from the start of the game, regardless of not conceding whatever amount of goals.

“We’re here to win. Our job’s not finished. We don’t have our (World Cup) tickets yet. Until that’s the case, there’s no room to take our foot off the pedal.”

Geria, 32, admits it’s “crazy” to even contemplate he could play at a World Cup next year.

The former Melbourne Victory star, who now plays for Japanese top-flight club Albirex Niigata, made his debut for the Socceroos in June 2016 in a 1-0 friendly win over Greece in Sydney.

However, it seemed that was going to be his only cap until the appointment of his former Victory coach, Tony Popovic, as Socceroos boss in September last year.

Geria has featured in each of Popovic’s seven games in charge of the national team, starting in four of them.

Geria has enjoyed his return the Socceroos’ fold. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“Coming back into the national team after eight years is always something that I wanted to do, but I didn’t always think it was possible,” he said.

“Luckily, I was given that opportunity to do so. I’m just really grateful and feel really privileged to be a part of this group and a part of this journey.

“It’s something really incredible, being able to help qualify the country for a World Cup – although the job’s not finished yet.”

FIFA World Cup qualifier

Saudi Arabia v Australia

King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah

Wednesday, 4.15am (AEST).

Originally published as Australia confident of dealing with desperate Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup qualifier