AUSTRALIA coach Pim Verbeek will not be altering his gameplan for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Uzbekistan despite the hosts' desperation to bounce back from Saturday's defeat at the hands of Qatar.
Rauf Inileev's side lost 3-0 to the Qataris in their opening game in the final phase of Asia's qualifying tournament for South Africa 2010 and another loss against the Socceroos would be a major setback for the Uzbeks.
The Australians, meanwhile, go into the game in confident mood after a 2-1 win in a friendly against Holland at the weekend, with goals from Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy.
"I think every game in this competition is tough, but we will see what happens tomorrow and how they react," Verbeek said.
"A second loss would be a disaster for them and you never know how teams react under that kind of pressure. We will play our own game and with our own qualities and we will see what we get.
"We played well last Saturday, so we're going into the game confident. I was looking for organisation and how the players played together and I was quite pleased."
The Australians are aiming to qualify for the World Cup finals for the second successive tournament although, unlike four years ago, they are attempting to progress this time from the Asian qualifying zone.
Australia's record since joining the AFC has been mixed, with the national team crashing out of the Asian Cup last year at the quarter-final stage while under the control of Graham Arnold.
Arnold stepped down from the role as national team boss with his team accused of being complacent in their approach towards matches against Asian opposition and Verbeek took over at the start of the year.
Since then the team has lost twice against Asian opposition, when they were defeated by China in June after having already secured their berth in the final phase despite the loss against Iraq two weeks before.
Despite Australia's improved record, the Dutchman is keeping a close watch on his players to make sure they do not underestimate the Uzbeks.
"I was extra alert yesterday and will be today in training also," he said.
"I want to make sure that they are not complacent. I think they have learned the lesson from the Asian Cup. They know how important it is to pick up results and they want to win.
"They won't be underestimating the Uzbeks, they won't be thinking about it being an easy game. So far they have been very focused on the game. That's my job and that of the other coaches and so far everything is fine."
He added: "Everyone is fit. I have 23 players here and I will have to disappoint a few players because they won't be on the bench.
"For the coach, that's good but not for the players but I'm here for the Australian fans and the national team and that's the most important thing."
The Australians, meanwhile, go into the game in confident mood after a 2-1 win in a friendly against Holland at the weekend, with goals from Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy.
"I think every game in this competition is tough, but we will see what happens tomorrow and how they react," Verbeek said.
"A second loss would be a disaster for them and you never know how teams react under that kind of pressure. We will play our own game and with our own qualities and we will see what we get.
"We played well last Saturday, so we're going into the game confident. I was looking for organisation and how the players played together and I was quite pleased."
The Australians are aiming to qualify for the World Cup finals for the second successive tournament although, unlike four years ago, they are attempting to progress this time from the Asian qualifying zone.
Australia's record since joining the AFC has been mixed, with the national team crashing out of the Asian Cup last year at the quarter-final stage while under the control of Graham Arnold.
Arnold stepped down from the role as national team boss with his team accused of being complacent in their approach towards matches against Asian opposition and Verbeek took over at the start of the year.
Since then the team has lost twice against Asian opposition, when they were defeated by China in June after having already secured their berth in the final phase despite the loss against Iraq two weeks before.
Despite Australia's improved record, the Dutchman is keeping a close watch on his players to make sure they do not underestimate the Uzbeks.
"I was extra alert yesterday and will be today in training also," he said.
"I want to make sure that they are not complacent. I think they have learned the lesson from the Asian Cup. They know how important it is to pick up results and they want to win.
"They won't be underestimating the Uzbeks, they won't be thinking about it being an easy game. So far they have been very focused on the game. That's my job and that of the other coaches and so far everything is fine."
He added: "Everyone is fit. I have 23 players here and I will have to disappoint a few players because they won't be on the bench.
"For the coach, that's good but not for the players but I'm here for the Australian fans and the national team and that's the most important thing."
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