Bailey Wright says the Socceroos aren’t feeling the heat ahead of their must-win 2018 World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Adelaide.
Australia faces the Saudis on June 8. A victory would set the Socceroos up for a potential top two finish in their group, while anything less would see them headed towards the third place playoff.
But Wright believes the national team remains focused on the task at hand and unfazed, despite what is at stake.
“We don’t feel pressure,” Wright told FourFourTwo.
“Pressure can be determined in many different ways, but when you’re playing for your country every game’s important.
"Regardless of what’s on the line. Every time you cross that white line you want to go out there and put in a performance and get the result.
“That didn’t change against UAE and I think it proved that because there’s a few people that are beginning to doubt you and we had a result where we should have done better with.
“But I think we proved people wrong and the only way we can do that is if we keep playing our football, doing it our way and keep winning games.
"It’s another opportunity to play Saudi Arabia who are a good side and have done well in this qualifying campaign.
“But we’re here to win the game and to push forward and qualify for the World Cup. But look for the big picture as well and playing our way and playing well.”

Australia heads into the game after a 2-0 victory over UAE in Sydney and a 1-1 draw with Iraq in Iran. The green and gold have yet to lose in seven matches in this World Cup qualifying phase.
“Our last game against the UAE people built it up and made it sound like there was a lot of pressure on us, that it was a massive game,” Wright said.
“Any game you play for your country is a big game, regardless of who you’re playing or what the occasion is. It’s an opportunity to pull on that yellow shirt and represent your country. We’ll treat it like every game.
"We know the importance of it, we have to win it. Saudi Arabia are coming to our home soil and we know what we’re capable of in Australia. We’re looking forward to that game.”
Wright was on the bench when the Socceroos had a 2-2 draw with the Saudis in Jeddah. In that match Australia went a goal behind, then took a 2-1 lead before the Green Falcons struck late.
“The atmosphere they created at their place was… I enjoy those atmospheres, I think we all do,” the Bristol City defender said.
“It does make it difficult, they got right behind them and made it a difficult game with the conditions, the heat. I feel we probably weren’t at our best that day but we will when we play them in Adelaide.”
Saudi Arabia are expected to be conservative tactically in Adelaide and focus on the counter-attack.
Wright said the Socceroos will be ready for whatever Bert van Marwijk’s side throw at them.
“When you’re playing at home maybe they’re there to entertain more when they play away,” the 24-year old said.
“They do what they need to get a result, I’m not sure. We’ll focus on us. They might sit in, they might come at us. Who knows, we’ll prepare for everything. That’s football. I’m sure these teams coming to Australia know it’s not going to be easy.”
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