Saudi heat on as Socceroos approach date with destiny
Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals.
There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST).
Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself.
The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset.
"We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said.
"Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win.
"It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points.
"We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia.
"But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well."
The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia.
And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there.
As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees.
Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way.
"For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said.
"It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot."
Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible.
"The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said.
"It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's 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 mentally get ahead of us in the game.
"But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again."
The Socceroos are adamant the lure of a World Cup will help them overcome stifling heat and a fired-up Saudi Arabia outfit hell bent on causing chaos.
Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals.
There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST).
Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself.
The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset.
"We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said.
"Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win.
"It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points.
"We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia.
"But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well."
The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia.
And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there.
As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees.
Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way.
"For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said.
"It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot."
Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible.
"The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said.
"It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's 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 mentally get ahead of us in the game.
"But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again."
The Socceroos are adamant the lure of a World Cup will help them overcome stifling heat and a fired-up Saudi Arabia outfit hell bent on causing chaos.
Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals.
There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST).
Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself.
The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset.
"We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said.
"Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win.
"It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points.
"We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia.
"But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well."
The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia.
And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there.
As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees.
Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way.
"For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said.
"It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot."
Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible.
"The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said.
"It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's 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 mentally get ahead of us in the game.
"But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again."
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Reports on Thursday linked the NRL's best prop to a change in eligibility, with the Brisbane behemoth set to begin preferencing his Samoan roots over the Kangaroos in future international fixtures. It comes after months of speculation Haas could join the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai as superstar players to have chosen Samoa over Australia in recent years. Under International Rugby League rules, a player eligible for a tier-one nation such as Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can change allegiance provided they do not represent both teams in the same calendar year. Haas's decision would clear him to be available for the post-season Pacific Championships, featuring a mouth-watering clash against Pacific rivals Tonga in Brisbane. The call will also rule Haas out of representing Australia in the first Ashes tour since 2003. The move is a significant boost for Samoa, who underlined their status as a new powerhouse of international rugby league by making the World Cup final in 2022. Having Haas on deck for the 2026 edition of the tournament would strengthen Samoa's case for a first World Cup trophy. "It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup," Meninga told SEN. "The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. "If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good." Samoan representative Tommy Talau said his countrymen would be particularly keen for October's clash with Tonga, who boast Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo in their pack. "All the Samoans that will be at that game will be cheering for him. They'll probably be saying, 'It's about time'," said Manly utility Talau. "If (switching allegiances) is what he's decided to do then that's awesome." 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"It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup," Meninga told SEN. "The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. "If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good." Samoan representative Tommy Talau said his countrymen would be particularly keen for October's clash with Tonga, who boast Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo in their pack. "All the Samoans that will be at that game will be cheering for him. They'll probably be saying, 'It's about time'," said Manly utility Talau. "If (switching allegiances) is what he's decided to do then that's awesome." The news looms as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who had coached Haas during his tenure at Brisbane. 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