A surprise 1-1 draw with heavyweights Colombia was followed by a disappointing 2-1 defeat by minnows El Salvador, leaving the Socceroos requiring three points at the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium tonight.
 
"We can't wait for the game, we knew that the game against Turkey was going to be a massive game - it's turned out to be the game breaker," said Young Socceroos coach Paul Okon said.
 
"We can win the game and go through to the next round on the back of, I think, a solid performance (against El Salvador), although the result went against us.
 
"We set the bar ever so high after the first game (against Colombia), we'd be really sad if we weren't able to get to a similar performance because we know that's what's needed to beat a team like Turkey."
 
The El Salvador defeat sees the Socceroos occupy bottom spot in Group C, but with the potential for three teams to progress, a win against Turkey will almost certainly guarantee the Socceroos a place.
 
Okon said the atmosphere would suit his side with the belief Turkish fans have a tendency to turn on their team when things aren't going their way.
 
"That's why you come to these tournaments, to play in front of full stadiums," Okon said.
 
"Everyone was really pleased that we got the hosts, the first two games haven't been packed houses, this game obviously will be because of what's at stake.
 
"The Turkish public, they turn very quickly on their team if they're not playing well or they haven't scored a goal - we know that.
 
"We know the challenge that we face and I'm sure that the boys will relish playing against Turkey."
 
The Young Socceroos also know they will have to repeat their first game heroics against Colombia to have any chance of progressing.
 
“The first game – that’s the level we need to be at,” Okon said.
 
“On the other hand we know that it’s going to be a fight. It’s going to be an arm wrestle. They don’t need to win the game.”