Bangladesh take all out preparation to take on Socceroos
Australian goalkeeper Ryan to miss the match
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh booters are taking all out preparation to face Asian giants Australia in their away FIFA World Cup qualifier to be held in Perth on September 3, according to a message received in Dhaka yesterday.
Bangladesh, whose FIFA ranking is 170, most likely will adopt a defensive strategy in a bid to avoid any big humiliation against 61st ranked Australia. Bangladesh became successful by implementing defensive strategy against Malaysia two days back when they played a FIFA Friendly in Kuala Lumpur which ended in a goalless draw.
Bangladesh arrived in Perth on Sunday after playing the FIFA friendly with Malaysia. Head coach Lodewijk de Kruif took his boys to a practice session for half an hour within hours after arrival in Perth. Kruif conducted a full fledged practice session yesterday
Bangladesh would get another couple of days to adapt themselves with the local condition before facing the Socceroos
Bangladesh will rush to Dhaka from Perth to play their fourth World Cup qualifier with Jordan in Dhaka on September 8. Bangladesh so far played two matches with home drawing with Tajikistan and went down to Kyrgyzstan 3-1.
Another report adds from Perth: The Socceroos have been dealt another injury blow on the eve of their World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan, with star goalkeeper Mat Ryan the latest player to be ruled out.
Ryan was scratched from the squad after suffering a knock to his knee while playing for his club side Valencia against Deportiva La Coruna in Spain on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was due to fly to Perth after the 1-1 draw on Monday, but his place in the Socceroos squad will now be taken by Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.
Ryan joins Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric and Robbie Kruse as players to be ruled out recently because of niggles.
But the biggest star of them all - striker Tim Cahill - is still on track to take his place in the side.
Adam Federici is now expected to start in goal in the absence of Ryan, while Alex Cisak is another option.
Ryan has been touted as a future superstar following his rapid rise on the international scene.
The former Central Coast Mariner was voted Belgium goalkeeper of the year last season after a standout campaign with Club Brugge.
His recent move to La Liga outfit Valencia is set to expose him to a number of blockbuster European games.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said it was disappointing to lose Ryan for the upcoming qualifiers.
But with Australia an unbackable favourite against world number 170 Bangladesh in Perth on Thursday night, Ryans absence is not likely to ruffle the Socceroos.
Next weeks trip to Tajikistan could prove to be a trickier affair, but the Socceroos are still likely to start as a hot favourite against the soccer minnows.
Socceroos midfielder Matt McKay is confident the recent injury withdrawals wont affect the team too much.
I think the balance is there, McKay said. Weve got some guys coming into camp in extremely good form with where theyve been in Europe and scoring goals, which is great for the side.
