Australia held their first training session at Hang Jebat Stadium on Wednesday ahead of the first leg in Malacca, Malaysia.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak said: “To be honest we’re not expecting anything from the pitch. I think it’s going to be quite bad.

Socceroos train in Malacca pic special

“However we’ve spoken about it, accepted it, that’s how it’s going to be. It’s about getting on with it now.”

Socceroos full-back Brad Smith echoed Langerak’s sentiment.

“Either way we’ve got to play on it and get the job done,” Smith said.

Langerak said Australia wanted to lay the foundations to win the tie during the first leg in Malacca, before the return leg in Sydney on October 10.

“The first leg is always important to lay the foundations of what you can do in the home game,” Langerak said.

“We’ll be expecting to win, we’ll be playing to win. If we do everything we’ve been told to, and play to the structure, then we give ourselves every opportunity to get that win.

“To travel back to Australia with our home support and give ourselves every opportunity to get through these two games.”

Langerak was wary of Syria, who finished third in their qualifying group.

“They have quality,” the Levante goalkeeper said.

“Every team in this region has quality. We’ll be looking at what they do well, what they don’t do well and how we can exploit their weaknesses.”

Socceroos train in Malacca pic special