Lucas Neill has issued a warning that the Soceroos will have to be on guard against a Jordan side who are better than they get credit for.
Qantas Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill says the national team won-t be going close to underestimating Jordan at Docklands Stadium, insisting that although the media might be underestimating the side from the Gulf, they are a ‘very good- side.
Neill, who was one of the Socceroos- best against Japan in Saitama, insisting that Jordan will bring quite the effort and the Socceroos would have to be wary of the visitors.
“We-re all very excited, very focused and all understand what is required now, the Japan game has filled us with confidence, the priority and only focus is Jordan,” Neill said.
“Jordan are no mugs, they are a very good team, I don-t think you (media) are giving them enough credit. They have beaten Japan and Australia at home, they are a team that deserve your respect and they certainly have our respect and we know if we don-t play our best there is a chance we won-t win the game.”
As with most teams in the AFC playoffs from the Gulf region, Jordan are expected to try and slow the tempo against the Socceroos, but after having been caught in that trap against Oman, Neill is confident the Socceroos will look to play an up-tempo game in Melbourne.
“I think I have got experience enough in the region to know a quicker game will be the one to upset their rhythm but also get us into a good rhythm,” Neill said.
“They don-t want tempo, they don-t want quick passing and that is sometimes the only way to break down a team.”
Neill also expects Jordan to try and attack from the outset in the match, with both sides desperately needing points to qualify automatically for Brazil 2014 and believes they will have to show their hand in attack rather than sit back and absorb pressure.
“They have some very strong attacking players and the way the mathematics is working out maybe they need to come and get points here,” Neill said.
“If they don-t get points then maybe they don-t get second or third and we-re in the same situation, so we both need to go for the points.”