Metsu has a point to prove against Australia

BRISBANE // Bruno Metsu has set his sights on taking a point back to Qatar from his side's encounter with Australia tomorrow night as the Frenchman prepares for his first competitive game in charge of the Gulf side. Metsu left his role as the UAE coach to replace Jorge Fossati last month after the Uruguayan stood down due to ill health. He is preparing to take on an Australia team who have already handed them two beatings this year, 3-0 in Melbourne and 3-1 over the Gulf side in the return fixture in Doha in the previous phase of qualifying.

However, Metsu's biggest concern is the lack of time spent with his new players and, as a result, he believes anything other than a loss will be a positive result for his team. "We've had no time to change the style, we've had no time to change everything, because it's the same players," said Metsu. "I will try to change some things about our defence first, because we're not here for a friendly game, we need to take a point.

"I'm ready in my mind for tomorrow night, because when I took on the national team, I knew the first game was against Australia, I sleep Australia, I dream Australia, I play with Australia in my head every day, night and day." The Australia coach Pim Verbeek is urging his players to put the previous victories out of their minds as they look to claim a second straight success after their win in Tashkent. The former South Korea coach is aware of the threat posed by the Qataris.

"They know we have a good team, we also know we have a good team, but there will be no underestimating them from our team," said the Dutchman. * With agencies

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