The Socceroos landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8pm yesterday and only reached their team hotel, The Westin, around 9:30pm. In probably the shortest tour ever, the visitors are eying nothing short of a win from their Fifa World Cup qualifier today.
Australia will be leaving tomorrow as soon as the match ends due to security concerns which had initially put this affair under threat. The security in Gulshan area particularly was beefed up to an extent which left few journalists saying, “We haven’t seen such security measure ever, not even when Argentina arrived.”
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou arrived at the pre-match press conference along with skipper Mile Jedinak around 10:15pm where he expressed his desire to win the remaining three matches of their campaign.
The Socceroos will get on with the game without any previous experience in Bangladesh. “It was a long trip from Australia. Looking forward to the condition whatever we have. It’s always a challenge playing away from home.”
Jedinak, who plays and captains English Premier League club Crystal Palace, echoed the same tune and said, “(Today) is got to be something new as we haven’t played here. But we have enjoyed similar circumstances elsewhere. Our sole focus is getting into the game and hopefully get three points,” said the 31-year-old defensive midfielder who has 10 goals beside his name from 60 international appearances.