The Socceroos are desperate to avoid a “miracle” upset when they face Indonesia in the Asian Cup Round of 16 on Sunday night (10.30pm AEDT).
Indonesia is the lowest-ranked team left in the competition at 146th in the world, 121 places below the Aussies.
But Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says his team won’t underestimate the minnows, who are in the knockout stage for the first time after progressing as one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage.
The Socceroos made two changes from the XI that drew against Uzbekistan in the final group game, with right-back Nathaniel Atkinson dropped for a returning Gethin Jones and young striker Kusini Yengi replaced by Bruno Fornaroli.
The 36-year-old came off the bench in all three group games, taking his tally to five appearances in the green and gold since debuting in March 2022 as the oldest Socceroos debutant in history.
28-year-old Jones, who recently opted to play for Australia instead of Wales, played the full 90 minutes in the first two matches before being rested.
It means that there’s no room in the starting XI for striker Mitch Duke or winger Craig Goodwin, who will start on the bench after returning from injuries.
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The Socceroos managed two wins and a draw, but scored just four goals from eight shots on target in their three matches and were well below their best in the group stage.
“In every aspect they can do better,” Arnold said, pointing to the team’s particular troubles going forward, having struggled to turn possession into clear-cut chances.
“When they do better the team does better, and I feel we are getting better.
“But the mindset and mentality in the most important thing,” added Arnold, who will oversee his 50th Socceroos match since returning to the role in 2018.
Indonesia coach Shin Tae-yong – who finished his playing career in Australia (with Queensland Roar, now Brisbane Roar) before becoming an assistant coach – conceded his side would need a “miracle” to win, saying: “I don’t think we have much possibility to beat Australia to be honest.”
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But his team has shown offensive potency so far this tournament, scoring in all three matches.
Arnold said: “Playing Indonesia is not a David v Goliath battle, it’s two teams that will go out there and give it their best. They’ve shown in this competition so far how strong they are against Japan and Iraq, and obviously with their win over Vietnam.
“Mentality is the most important thing, the mindset and the Aussie DNA. The Aussie way is we fight till we drop.”
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Australia has won 11 of the 15 ‘A’ Internationals between the two nations, with three draws and one loss back in 1981.
Should Australia win – and thus avoid a worst-ever Asian Cup finish – two tournament favourites in Saudi Arabia or South Korea await in the next round.
MATCH CENTRE: Live stats and more!
Socceroos line-up: Mat Ryan, Gethin Jones, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus, Riley McGree, Martin Boyle, Bruno Fornaroli, Jordan Bos.
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FIXTURE DETAILS
Australia v Indonesia
Sunday, 28 January 2024
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: 2:30pm local (10:30pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Network 10
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