With a point from Japan in their back pocket, the Socceroos’ blockbuster clash with Saudi Arabia is potentially the most important game in their World Cup qualifying journey yet.
But that’s just how Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar like it.
After snatching a rare 1-1 draw in Japan on Tuesday night, the Socceroos will charge into their crunch November window high on confidence.
The draw, combined with last Thursday’s 3-1 win over China in Adelaide, means coach Tony Popovic takes four of a possible six points from his first window.
Graham Arnold resigned after claiming just one point from the opening two games, against Bahrain and Indonesia.
The Socceroos and Saudi Arabia are jostling for one of two direct qualification berths.
Australia (five points) sit second behind Japan (10 points) in group C, ahead of both the Saudis and Bahrain on goal difference after their 0-0 draw in Jeddah on Wednesday morning. Two points further adrift are China and Indonesia.
It magnifies the importance of Australia’s November 14 clash with the Saudis at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, and their away clash with Bahrain six days later.
Making things trickier is that talisman Craig Goodwin will be unavailable against the Saudis after picking up his second yellow card on Tuesday.
“They just get bigger, don’t they?” Irvine said.
“It’s another massive game. Now you look at Saudi in Melbourne in the context of the group – that’s what it’s all about.
“The best thing about playing international football, high pressure, big games, big moments. And this team’s taking huge step forwards in a short amount of time.
“We’re going to have more players hopefully back fit, playing more regularly in their leagues … as well. There’s a lot of different things that will add to this group.
“Hopefully have a couple of boys back from injury as well. And we’re just going to get stronger and stronger.”
Striker Mitch Duke added taking maximum points away from the two games in November was “nothing less really than we can afford.”
Defender Souttar knows the cut and thrust of qualifying well now.
“Every game from there on is going to get bigger,” he said.
“Obviously, the ones in November are going to be massive, and then the ones in March, and it’s just going to get bigger and bigger and bigger.
“Yeah, it’s another tough test, November. But again, it’s games we need to win.”.
Popovic was delighted with his team’s “very resolute” defensive display against a Japan outfit that scored 14 goals in their first three games.
The back three of Cam Burgess, Souttar and the sublime Jason Geria – plus wingbacks Jordy Bos and Lewis Miller – shone.
But after going without a shot on target in Tuesday night’s 1-1 tie at Saitama Stadium, Popovic concedes there is work to do in attack.
“We can do much better with the ball, and that’s the goal for us to move forward and keep working on that aspect of our game,” Popovic said.
“That’s an area we have to improve. Three other sides have had that same problem against Japan, and conceded 14 goals.
“We have to improve on all areas. It’s not just creativity.”
