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."
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