In one of the most important home World Cup qualifiers in recent memory, Australia is desperate for three points to keep up the pressure on the top two automatic spots.

And the Aston Villa midfield general added the UAE’s stability in terms of squad selections may just help Australia.

UAE ANALYSIS

“We’ve done some analysis on them and played them quite regularly,” he said at the official pre-match press conference on Monday.

“We know that they don’t change an awful lot in their style of play. And even the players in their squad have been together for quite a number of years.

“Growing up through the generations of (age national teams in UAE) and we know they’re always giving us a good contest.

“And we’ll have to assert ourselves on the game, as we always do. And hopefully we can do that early doors and see where that gets us.”

TUESDAY NIGHT’S CLASH

“We give it a good go as long as we’re out on that pitch. And I expect no different tomorrow night.

“You demand no different tomorrow. What each individual is thinking I can’t tell you but from a personal perspective it’s business as usual.

“It’s the way you’ve got to focus on the game and put on a performance and give everything you can to the cause.

“Hopefully a big, packed crowd and they get right behind us.”