Australia defender Jason Geria insists the Socceroos will go for the win against Paraguay despite knowing a draw would see them qualify automatically for the World Cup knockout stages.
Both teams have three points from their opening two fixtures but Australia’s superior goal difference means they currently sit in second place in Group D.
Geria is adamant Australia have no intention of sitting back, even if the game is tight in the closing stages.
“I think you’re sort of cheating the game in a way if you’re looking to just call a truce with 10 minutes to go,” he said. “That doesn’t seem right in my opinion.
“Yeah, we could both progress with a point, that’s evident, but I don’t think it’s in us to just concede or take the foot off the gas.
“We want to win every game, regardless of who the opponent is or what the situation is.
“So I don’t think if it is one-all or nil-all with five minutes left or 50 seconds left, it’s going to be us taking the foot off the bell. I think we want to win this game. So that’s how we’re going into it.”
Paraguay bounced back from their defeat to the USA with a gutsy 1-0 defeat of Turkey last time out, playing with 10 men for the entire second half after the dismissal of Miguel Almiron, and coach Gustavo Alfaro is determined to give the country’s fans something to cheer about.
“Being less for us means being more. We may eventually be less than all the teams playing here in the World Cup, but we don’t feel less, we feel that if we’re all together, we can somehow be more,” he said.
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Team news for Paraguay v Australia
Australia winger Mat Leckie is suffering from a hamstring strain sustained against the United States and could miss the rest of the tournament. One of Cristian Volpato, Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda is likely to deputise. Defender Jacob Italiano is also a major doubt.
Paraguay will be without Almiron who is serving a one-game ban after being sent off against the Turks for covering his mouth.
Predicted line-ups for Paraguay v Australia
Paraguay: Gill; Caceres, G Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Velazquez, Cubas, D Gomez, Galarza; Pitta, Enciso
Australia: Beach; Circati, Souttar, Burgess; Behich, O’Neill, Okon-Engstler, Bos; Volpato, Toure, Irankunda
Where to watch Paraguay v Australia: TV and online streams
Paraguay versus Australia kicks-off at 3am in the early hours of Friday morning UK time. It will be broadcast on ITV4 and STV and available to stream via ITVX and the STV Player.
Stats for Paraguay v Australia
- Paraguay are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010
- Australia have not lost any of their three previous meetings
- Paraguay have alternated between wins and defeats in their last five games. Their last result was a win.
- Australia have won one of their last four games
Prediction for Paraguay v Australia
Although neither side will admit it publicly, a draw is the best outcome here. Expect a risk-free encounter in San Francisco.
Prediction: Paraguay 0-0 Australia
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