Metcalfe: We know what we have to do

Subway Socceroo Connor Metcalfe said that the team was looking forward to the opportunity to seal qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ on the pitch in Saudi Arabia next week.
 

Metcalfe was speaking to media in light of Australia’s 1-0 victory over Japan on Thursday evening, and subsequently putting themselves in the box seat to finish second and automatically qualify from Group C.

The team will need to avoid a loss of five goals or more to Saudi Arabia in order to qualify for the World Cup.

Getting it done on the pitch

When we do it on the pitch, it will be even better.

I think it changes our mentality, because if it was already done - it wouldn't have been a waste of time, but the boys may have not been as on it as we should be. Now that we know what we have to do, we're going to be flying there tonight. We will land, and we'll get stuck into the training and fully focus. We want to beat them on their home turf as well, in front of all their fans.

A long journey

It’s been a long journey, a tough ride, but it was amazing being back out there. I was out for so long, injured, and getting the chance and getting the confidence from the coach to start last night - it was an amazing feeling. Just being involved with a win as well in front of the home crowd was a special feeling.

Playing in Saudi Arabia

We know what we're going to be up against. We've played them before. We've played them in Jeddah before as well, and it's going to be a tough game. In the conditions as well, it's probably going to be close to 40 degrees, with 50,000 fans screaming. It’s going to be difficult, but I think we're all mentally prepared for it, and what you need to do in the days leading up to that game to adjust to that. It honestly is horrible playing in that heat, I'm going to be honest.

Pre-camp preparation

Before we came here, we had a pre-camp for about 10 days in Abu Dhabi. So I think we got a little taste of it [the heat], which is good, just mentally. It’s that extra little grit, and staying together and working as a team. Because it is very, very difficult playing in those conditions, and especially when you're up against these teams that are used to it, and I don't even know if they feel it.

Approach to the game

[It's a] Different opponent, different tactics, different everything, so we'll have to change a few things. At the end of the day, as long as we get a result, that's all that matters. I'm not sure what the game plan will be. I'll let you know when we find out, but I'm not sure yet.

Mental strength

We're going to have to play a little bit of their game as well… There's going to be a lot of diving, a lot of acting, but it's about just blocking the noise out, focusing on ourselves and doing the best we can.

You can't get affected by any of it, because if you get affected by any of their little games or noise or whatever it is, then it's just going to affect the game, and they're going to get that little advantage over you. So I think that's where the mentality comes from, of just being together, be as one, be strong as you can and go as hard as you can for as long as you can. The conditions are really tough, and you’ve just got to stick together and you'll get a result.

Match Details

Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+