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Topic:Socceroos
Tony Popovic wants his Socceroos to be ready for "wild" scenes in their latest World Cup qualifier. (AAP: James Ross)
Australia and Saudi Arabia meet in Melbourne on Thursday night in a crucial World Cup qualification match.
Both sides are level on five points in their group, with Australia holding a slightly better goal differential.
ABC Sport will be live blogging the World Cup qualifier between Australia and Saudi Arabia from 7pm AEDT.
Knowing Saudi Arabia could sit deep and attempt to frustrate its way to a result against the Socceroos is one thing.
But knowing Australia could also have to handle Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard's love of a frenetic, energetic style means there is no shortage of tactical headaches ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster World Cup qualifier.
Away teams have historically had success gritting their teeth, setting themselves defensively and forcing the Socceroos to attempt to break them down.
But what approach Renard will take at Melbourne's AAMI Park is a mystery.
ABC Sport will be live blogging the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia from 7pm AEDT tonight
Coach Tony Popovic and midfielder Jackson Irvine are ready for both possibilities.
"We know that [low block] will come in phases of the game. We also know that the game can open up and be wild sometimes in these games as well," Irvine said.
"So it's about the way we manage that within the game itself.
"But I think within the structure that we're building here, we've got the capability of playing against deeper blocks again and more open games."
With Craig Goodwin suspended, the Socceroos cannot count on the slick left-footer's set pieces to break the contest open.
But Popovic is adamant his charges are ready for anything.
"We know what's coming, and we have to match that enthusiasm, that energy, but have the patience and calmness to play our football at the right moments and identify what the game is presenting," Popovic said.
"If they play a higher line as they did in the World Cup, to identify those moments, if they sit deeper, to identify the patience we need.
"And obviously, be aware of talented individuals that like to do things on their own because they can and just be aware of that."
The game, and the following away match against Bahrain, are pivotal to Australia's hopes of direct qualification for 2026.
Japan (10 points) are outright Group C leaders, while Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are all level on five points.
Australia's goal differential of +1 has them ahead of Saudia Arabia (-1) and Bahrain (-4).
The top two teams in Group C secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while third and fourth-place teams advance to the next round of qualifying.
ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines.
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