Socceroos ready for dark arts duel with Saudis

Yahoo

15 hours ago

With the World Cup in touching distance, the Socceroos are ready to tackle whatever obstacles Saudi Arabia throw at them - and respond with some dark arts of their own.
After a heroic 1-0 win over Japan put Australia on the brink of direct qualification for next year's finals in North America, Tony Popovic's charges flew to Jeddah on Friday.
Australia face familiar foes Saudi Arabia, who beat Bahrain 2-0, on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEST) knowing anything other than losing by five goals will seal qualification.
The Saudis (13 points, 0 goal difference) have everything to gain - hoping to leapfrog Australia (16 points, +8 goal difference) into the second automatic qualification spot behind Japan.
Musab Aljuwayr bags his second goal in the #AsianQualifiers with this beauty ✨#BHRvKSA pic.twitter.com/shfnDEEk3H
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) June 5, 2025
Midfielder Connor Metcalfe is prepared for any curveballs coming the Socceroos' way.
"I'm expecting delays at the airport. I'm expecting a really bad pitch to train on. I'm expecting loads of, I don't know, bus delays before the game," he said.
"I'm just expecting they're probably just going to throw everything at us because they know what they need to do, and they're just going to make it as difficult as possible."
A hostile environment awaits at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, but Metcalfe is adamant Australia are ready to play their part in frustrating the parochial crowd.
"I think we're gonna have to play a little bit of their game as well," he said.
"Whether we waste time and delay the game as much as we can.
"Because it's going to be like that. There's going to be a lot of diving, a lot of acting.
"But it's just block the noise out, focus on ourselves and do the best we can."
Above all, Metcalfe says the players have to "stick together".
"You can't get affected by any of it, because if you get affected by any of their little games or noise or whatever it is, then it's just going to affect the game, and they're going to get that little advantage over you," he said.
A training camp in Abu Dhabi has Australia prepared for the sweltering conditions that await.
"We know what we're gonna be up against. We've played them before," Metcalfe said.
"We played them in Jeddah before as well, and it's gonna be a tough game in the conditions as well.
"It's probably gonna be close to 40 degrees, with 50,000 fans screaming, so it's gonna be difficult, but I think we're all mentally prepared for it.
"And of course, we want to beat them on their home turf as well, in front of all their fans."
St. Pauli midfielder Metcalfe, 25, is ready to make an impact, after starting against Japan in his first game back since a series of injuries.
"It's been a long, long journey, tough ride, but it was amazing being back out there," he said.
"Just being involved in a win as well in front of a home crowd was a special feeling. Just love it."