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Australia will put the “faces” of Saudi Arabia in the World Cup standings – Arnold

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Australia want to face Saudi Arabia from the first whistle in the main standings of the Sydney World Cup, coach Graham Arnold said on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, the only team with the most points in the Asian qualifying phase, is three points clear of Australia at the top of Group B after winning four in a row. The top two teams automatically qualify for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, while the third-placed qualifiers enter a playoff series.

“We know that Saudi has had a good run and we also know that he has played a lot of games at home in that race,” Arnold told reporters ahead of clashes at Western Sydney Stadium on Thursday.

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“So I hope that tomorrow night we put our mindset on their face and make sure we’re on the front line from the start and don’t give them time to play.”

Fan support for the first time in two years

Australia, who lost 2-1 at Saitama in their last round against Japan, are missing a pair of Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy but will have the support of home fans for the first time in two years.

After the country closed its borders in early 2020 with the explosion of COVID-19, several players stationed abroad in Arnold have been caught with family members for the first time in years this week. “Controlling that emotion is something I’ve worked very hard on,” Arnold said.

“I think the greatest energy that can be given to players is to see their family.

“Knowing that their families are (obviously) behind them but also that they will be in the stands, that’s the best energy they can ever have, instead of coming here and not being able to see it until the end of the game.”

Coming home has given Arnold a choice of four A-League players, including winger Mathew Leckie. The home players are only in pre-season yet, but Leckie said the adrenaline rush of playing for local fans could make up for the lack of season in the game. “Sometimes no matter how you feel physically, it’s more of a mental thing,” he said.

“We’re definitely going to come out here with a pile of energy.”

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