The Socceroos are bracing themselves for another early onslaught, this time from a desperate China, whose hopes of a guaranteed spot in next year’s FIFA World Cup are on the line in Hangzhou on Tuesday night.
If the hosts lose to the Socceroos, their chance of a top-two finish in Group C in the third round of AFC qualifiers will be gone and so will a certain World Cup berth.
A Socceroos win will also harm China’s chances of a third or fourth-place Group C finish, which would give them another chance to qualify.
“They’re going to be coming out swinging,” Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess said on Monday.
“They’re playing at home in front of a big crowd as well, so I’ve got no illusions it’s going to be a difficult task for us, but we need to stamp our authority on the game and do what we can do to hurt them as well.”
The Socceroos struggled to cope with an early blitz from Indonesia last Thursday in Sydney.
Despite winning 5-1, the Australians would have been down 2-0 inside 10 minutes if not for a brilliant save from captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan and the woodwork keeping out a penalty from Indonesia’s Kevin Diks.
“Just settling into the game and the conditions in terms of the pitch and how they were playing … we probably just took a little bit longer than we should have,” Burgess said.
“We’re expecting a fast start (from China), the same as the other night, so we have improvements to make on that, and hopefully we can start the game better than we did the other night.
“We’re ready for what they’re going to bring.”
The Socceroos – who are second in Group C and a point ahead of third-placed Saudi Arabia – can take another step towards World Cup qualification with a win on Tuesday night.
“We don’t want to go away from what we’re trying to improve on, what we’re trying to be better at (and the) improvements we’re making as a team, but equally, every game is important. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing against or what stage it is – we are where we are,” Burgess said.
“This game was not even in my mind, not even thought about, until we’d finished the last game.
“The last game was the most important game I’ve ever played in. They’re all so important, and we’re treating it as such.
“There are times to be relaxed and calm and clear with what we’re doing in the moment and on the pitch but at the same time recognising the importance of the game itself.”
Despite a lack of first-team football at his English Premier League club Ipswich Town, Burgess – who in the absence of injured star Harry Souttar has a greater responsibility in Australia’s backline – felt prepared for Tuesday night’s battle.
“It’s not great not playing. I’d love to be playing every minute of every game, as would everyone; however, the one upside is how hard we train (at Ipswich),” he said.
“I’ve experienced that in the past, where maybe not playing for a number of games and then been thrown in for a big game and been fine because we trained to a high level, and you’re prepared to be ready to play when you get the chance.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-intent-on-being-properly-ready-for-an-early-chinese-blitz-in-hangzhou-c-18141550
