Caltex Socceroo great Tim Cahill is urging his Australian teammates to be ‘fearless and ruthless’ as they search for a goal avalanche that will all but secure automatic World Cup qualification on Tuesday night.
The Aussies face bottom side in Group B Thailand, who have little but pride to play for under new Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.
But the Socceroos need a big win – preferably by at least four or five goals but hopefully more – to put Saudi Arabia under maximum pressure against Japan a few hours later in Jeddah.
EXPLAINER: Caltex Socceroos' task against Thailand
EXPLAINER: Group A's thrilling finish
THE TABLE
It’s an unusual situation with the deciding final games in the group not being played concurrently.
However, national team great Cahill was a picture of calmness at the pre-match press conference as he explained his thoughts and stressed the attacking DNA of the side under coach Ange Postecoglou.
BE RUTHLESS, BE FEARLESS SAYS AUSSIE WARRIOR
“We’re ready. This is a massive moment for our country to stake a claim at a World Cup,” Cahill said.
“It’s going to be tough, Thailand will put pressure on us.
“We’re very well structured. We’re a possession-based team that likes to attack.
“And we’re never fearful of the opponent. And I feel that’s the main thing to implement.
“It doesn’t matter who we play, we need to go out there and be fearless.
“And most importantly, be ruthless. It’s a massive game, we understand what’s on the line.”
CREATE A NEW HISTORY
Meanwhile coach Ange Postecoglou said he’d wait until game day to decide on his starting XI.
