Australia brace for red-hot welcome in Indonesia World Cup qualifier / Photo: Bay ISMOYO - AFP
Australia brace for red-hot welcome in Indonesia World Cup qualifier
Defender Alessandro Circati is relishing silencing the home fans when Australia face Indonesia away on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifier in front of an anticipated 78,000 crowd.
Graham Arnold's side made the worst possible start to the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup when they were stunned 1-0 at home by Bahrain last week.
The Socceroos need to get their campaign back on track but must do so at the cauldron that is the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which can hold 78,000 and is sold out.
The 20-year-old Circati, who plays in Italy for Parma, is looking forward to a hostile welcome.
"I think it should be energy to fuel your fire, it should get you going," said Circati, who made his debut for Australia in October last year, having also played for Italy at under-20 level.
"It makes me even want to win a bit more, to go against all these fans who are cheering against you, just to prove them wrong and to really show them it makes no difference to how I play."
Australia under Arnold are not known for their attacking verve, but Circati said on the eve of the clash: "I'd like to think in this game we can be a bit more creative, a bit more brave offensively and take maybe half a risk."
Indonesia started the third qualifying phase with a creditable 1-1 draw at Roberto Mancini's Saudi Arabia.
E.Cunningham--EWJ
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