Redknapp has just taken over as Jordan boss for the final two qualifiers off this stage, and it started with a bang - an 8-0 drubbing of Bangladesh on Thursday.
Mark Milligan says Harry Redknapp’s appointment as coach makes Jordan somewhat of an unknown proposition but believes the Caltex Socceroos' intensity and discipline will be key on Tuesday night.Top spot in the group is on the line at Allianz Stadium, with a draw enough for the Socceroos to stay ahead of Jordan and assure themselves a spot in the next stage of FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Redknapp has just taken over as Jordan boss for the final two qualifiers off this stage, and it started with a bang - an 8-0 drubbing of Bangladesh on Thursday.
“He [Redknapp] has a very good reputation for [galvanising his teams] and he’s a very well-known coach,” Milligan told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
“But we’ve been very good at home over the last few years especially and I really do believe if we’re disciplined, stick to our structure and do what’s asked for us we’ll be ok.
“Being at home, if we start with a high intensity, we’ll control the match from there,” the Baniyas midfielder added.
“But obviously we’ll have to wait and see what they are going to bring.
"They have changed their coach since the last time we played them. We’ll see how they’ve changed and we’ll be very aware of what they are going to bring into the match.
“If we can do what we do well and have a high intensity then we’ll cause them more problems than they will cause us.”
Milligan feels the Socceroos ruthlessness and discipline – not the seven goal haul – was the most pleasing thing about Thursday’s night’s rout of Tajikistan in Adelaide.
And he vowed there would be not let up on Tuesday, as the Aussies look banish the demons of the 2-0 loss to the Jordanians in Amman last October and progress as group winners.
“We’ll press them, especially early on and especially at home.
"We’ll want to start the game with a lot of intensity and try and put them on the back foot early,” the former Victory and Sydney FC man added.
“That’s our mantra, we always try to be positive and make sure we’re always going forward whether that’s in attack or defence.
“I know it might sound funny but it was the defensive side of things which we were happy about [against Tajikistan].
“We were very disciplined in pressing them and not letting them out of their half. We’ll take a lot of confidence out of that more than the seven goals.”
Midfield depth is now a real feature of Ange Postecoglou’s squad with Milligan and two-goal hero Tom Rogic both coming off the bench against the Tajiks.
With skipper Mile Jedinak, Massimo Luongo and in-form Aaron Mooy performing exceptionally on Thursday, there’s a real fight to win spots in the starting XI.
Which can only be a good thing for the Green and Gold.
“All the midfielders are playing very well at club level and it’s a good battle for positions,” Milligan said.
“That’s what you want at national team level. The more options Ange has, while it’s not so great for us as individuals, it’s great for the team.”