Caltex Socceroos defender Aziz Behich is confident the goals will flow against Syria in Tuesday night’s must-win FIFA World Cup qualifier in Sydney.
Despite dominating large periods and creating a host of chances in Malaysia, Australia had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Omar Al Soma’s late penalty cancelled our Robbie Kruse’s first-half opener.
It was only bad luck and some wasteful finishing which cost Ange Postecoglou’s side victory in the first leg.
But back on home soil in front of a big Stadium Australia crowd, Behich believes frustration will turn to celebration in front of goal on Tuesday night.
“It can be frustrating at times but you just have to keep believing in what you are doing and eventually it will pay off,” the Turkey-based wing-back said.
“It didn’t go in for us against Thailand [last month] or against Syria either but we have seen in the past we can score a few goals.
“I’m pretty confident on Tuesday they’ll hit the back of the net.
“We always want to take it to teams, we don’t want to sit back. Playing at home on a good pitch as well, that will be the plan from the first whistle, put them on the back foot and hopefully put a few early goals in.”
Behich was one of Australia’s best in Melaka, working tirelessly up and down the left flank.
While admitting the conditions didn’t help Australia’s up-tempo game, he has no doubt the team will go to another level back on home soil.
“We have a lot of experienced players, we’re all professional so we know what’s at stake here,” Behich said on Saturday.
“It’s a World Cup position, the boys are all very switched on and we’re confident going into this game.
“[Being at home] does help. We can play our one-touch, two-touch passing game. We’re confident the way we want to play and we’ll do it regardless of the conditions.”
The Caltex Socceroos spent Saturday in recovery mode but will return to the training pitch on Sunday as they ramp up preparations for Tuesday’s crucial clash.