SYDNEY // Australia coach Pim Verbeek has warned his side not to be complacent against Uzbekistan in next month's World Cup qualifier - described by players as a "journey into the unknown".
The Socceroos kick off the fourth and final round of Asian qualifying for South Africa 2010 in Tashkent, the capital of the former Soviet state, on Sept 10.
And Verbeek has highlighted Russia's recent success at domestic and international level as an example of less fancied countries prevailing. Zenit St Petersburg won the Uefa Cup in May, while the nation also made their mark with an impressive semi-final appearance at Euro 2008.
The other teams in Australia's group are Bahrain, Japan and Qatar, and with only the top two securing places in the finals, Verbeek knows his side must hit the ground running at the MHSK Stadium.
"Everyone is focusing on Japan because they are a force in Asia, but I know Uzbekistan from the Asian Games in 2006 in Doha, I know them from the Asian Cup and they were the first team this time around to qualify for the next round so we will not underestimate our opponents," said Verbeek.
"It will be quite a tough game in Tashkent, but we will have very good preparation. They have a Russian style and Russian teams are doing very well at the moment. They have a European style of play, are very strong, very skilful and are very well organised."
Verbeek has experience of Uzbekistan as he faced them when he was coach of South Korea.
He has also reviewed several DVDs of his opponents and is confident his team will be prepared for the experience.
Uzbekistan reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 Asian Cup after finishing ahead of China in their group and are expected to push Australia and Japan for the two automatic places.
"It will be a hectic evening but our boys are used to it and are looking forward to it," added Verbeek.
"Our players are used to this style of football rather than Asian style. They are one of the best teams in Asia, but we will be prepared."
Verbeek has selected a 27-man squad for the international friendly against Holland in Eindhoven on Sept 6, but the party is expected to be trimmed before the trip to Tashkent.
Galatasaray's Harry Kewell has been recalled while neither Tim Cahill or Mark Viduka are fit.
* PA Sport
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
