Psychokiller said:
the repercussions if they dont qualify will b hug3, leading to a downward spiral, like all those years b4 '05
You're not Cro by any chance are you?
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Qatar coach Jorge Fossati has warned Australia that his team for this weekend’s 2010 World Cup qualifier in Doha will be a vastly different proposition to the one that surrendered so meekly to the Socceroos in February.
Group 1 leaders Australia and Qatar meet in Doha on Sunday morning (AEST) with access to the next and final phase of qualifying at stake.
Pim Verbeek’s Australians got their campaign to reach the finals in South Africa off to a brilliant start with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Telstra Dome in Melbourne.
But this time Australia won’t have it that easy, vowed Fossati.
“The Socceroos deserved their victory back then but that is history now,” said Fossati, who was in charge of the Uruguay team that fell to Guus Hiddink’s Socceroos in the World Cup play-off in 2005.
“You cannot change the past but you certainly can shape the future and things are much different now.
“I respect the Australian team because it is very strong but I have complete faith in my players because they have improved a lot since Melbourne.
“They do not see this as an opportunity to erase the 3-0 defeat in Australia but they are focusing on the job ahead.
“They are playing with confidence and developing a strong character which makes me optimistic of getting the required result in Doha.”
Qatar sprang a surprise on Matchday Four last weekend when they overcame China 1-0 away with a first-half penalty goal from striker Sebastian Quintana.
The Uruguayan-born goal poacher missed the match in Melbourne due to suspension but he will line up against the Aussies this time around.
Fossati said he was pinning his hopes of beating the Socceroos on quicksilver Quintana.
“Quintana is a very important player for us but I don’t know if he can make the difference. Only God knows that,” he said.
“Of course we can beat Australia, why not!
“I repeat, Australia are very hard to beat and I respect them but in a tournament such as this (where fortunes fluctuate) it is important to grasp the moment and this might just be our moment.
“We are playing well and we will give it our best shot but that does not mean we will succeed. Only fools think that winning is easy.
“If we do our job properly we will have a big chance but really it’s in the hands of God.”
Australia and Qatar share the group leadership with seven points, three more than Iraq and four more than China.
So a draw at the weekend would probably suit both sides, especially if the other game of the round also ended in a draw.
However Fossati, who has seen a video of Australia’s last match against Iraq, declared that his side would not commit the same mistake of being as cautious as the Australians.
“My philosophy is that if you go into a match thinking of a draw you make things difficult for yourself. It’s too risky,” he said.
“But if you go for a win it might be a bit easier to get the draw you want.
“Australia have played defensively in their away matches so far but I do not believe they will defend in Doha.
“I expect the Socceroos to attack us and we will go for a win too, so it should be a good match.
“Having said that, sometimes what you plan for a match turns out to be different to what actually takes place on the field. And of course Australia are good enough to turn all your plans upside down.
“But in the end if the match in Doha finished in a draw I think we both would be happy with the result.”
Qatar, who trail the Australians on goal difference, will have the backing of thousands of fans at the boutique Al Sadd Club in Doha for the match scheduled to start Saturday at 7pm local time in temperatures expected to be hovering around 38 degrees.
Australia’s “Super June” will come to an end on Sunday 22 June with the match against China at ANZ Stadium.
The draw for the final phase of Asian qualifying takes place at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Friday 27 June.