Syria(N) vs Australia - Troisi backs Australia to see off Syria and reach World Cup

Posted Wednesday, October 04, 2017 by PA

James Troisi is confident Australia can overcome Syria and reach a fourth successive World Cup.

Having finished third in their qualifying group, the Socceroos face a play-off against the Qasioun Eagles with the first leg in Malaysia on Thursday.

The Syrians have yet to taste defeat at their temporary base as they aim to complete their unlikely bid to reach the finals for the first time.

Midfielder Troisi insists Australia will not take their opponents lightly but believes they have got what it takes to secure their passage to Russia next year.

"All credit to them, they're in this position because they deserve to be," Troisi told the Asian Football Confederation website.

"We're in the position we are because we couldn't qualify directly. Both teams will want to go to the World Cup, but we're quietly confident we can get the job done.

"I think we need to make sure we do the things that we know how to do right. We know the formation that works, so if we get those things right then it's very difficult to play against us."

Syria have beaten Uzbekistan and Qatar at the Hang Jebat Stadium as well as recording four draws, and midfielder Mohammed Zaher Midani says they are ready for their biggest challenge yet.

"We played well in the qualifiers, and even hoped we might qualify directly for Russia," he told FIFA.com.

"But making it to round four was still excellent. We'll now take on the Australians in two crucial games, and we're ready for the battle.

"Both games will be tough. But we're ready for them. Our technical team will certainly have watched the games they have played and have the relevant data about them.

"Australia may have many prominent players who are known for their individual talents, but we have the enormous potential that comes from performing as a group, as well as the individual skills of our players.

"And we have a huge motivation - which is to make the Syrian people happy."