Metsu happy to get a draw
New Qatar coach Bruno Metsu will be happy to come away from Brisbane Stadium tomorrow with a draw and has firmly placed all the pressure on Australia to come out and get the win.
New Qatar coach Bruno Metsu will be happy to come away from Brisbane Stadium tomorrow with a draw and has firmly placed all the pressure on Australia to come out and get the win.
Metsu, who has only been in the job for a few weeks after resigning as UAE coach and Jorge Fossati-s departure from the Qatari job due to health reasons, was relaxed and comfortable with where his team is at for Wednesday-s game.
“Of course I am happy with a draw tomorrow,” Metsu said. “It would be a fantastic result for us.
“I am sure Australia will not be happy with a draw tomorrow.
“All the pressure is on them to win the game and while I am sure they will respect our team, perhaps they might not be a bit complacent after they won the two previous matches.”
Metsu is confident that after a good preparation camp on the Gold Coast his team is ready and is not expecting too many surprises from the Australian team.
“There will be no surprises, every time you (Australia) play it-s pretty much the same tactics and you try to find solutions to stop these tactics.
“In terms of style, we haven-t had time to change anything really tactically. I will try to change something about our defence first to get a point and disturb Australia tomorrow and that-s our first ambition.
“I am sure Australia will try to start very strong and will be pressing especially with 50,000 fans pushing this team, but we are ready for that. What is important for us is the time; if we can control the time and not let Australia score early, maybe that is good for us.”
The Frenchman, who coached Senegal at the 2002 World Cup finals, is adamant that his team is not playing for third place in the group and will be doing all it can to finish in the top two.
“Sure Japan and Australia are favourites from this group, but I-m not playing for third position. The players and I will try our best with the possibility of finishing in first or second position.
“Today we are in first position, not Australia; not Japan; Qatar and that-s where we deserve to be. Tomorrow we will give our best; we-ve worked very well in the past eight days to prepare for this game and I believe in my players.
Metsu even had time to crack a joke when asked about the Australia-s perceived aerial advantage, but more seriously he has done nothing but think about this game since taking over from Fossati.
“Maybe we have to wear special shoes tomorrow,” he said with a laugh.
“When I take over the national team, I know the first game is against Australia. Since then I sleep Australia, I dream Australia, I play Australia everyday; night and day I think about this game.
“This is a great chance to go to the World Cup for Qatar, especially as it-s a small country; we don-t have many players and it-s a dream for Qatar to go to the World Cup.”