Australia prepare for 'new coach bounce' as they face Renard's Saudi Arabia
Australia will be wary of the experienced Herve Renard (56) as he returns to the Saudi Arabia coaching position for their crucial World Cup qualifier at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Thursday.
Renard previously led the Saudis to a remarkable victory over the eventual champions Argentina during the 2022 World Cup, but he is not fondly remembered in Australia for derailing the Socceroos' chances of securing automatic qualification for Qatar.
A goalless draw in Sydney in 2021, followed by a narrow 1-0 victory for Saudi Arabia at home the subsequent year, forced Graham Arnold's team into the challenging playoff route to reach Qatar.
Australian football found a measure of vindication last year when the Matildas eliminated Renard's France in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals through a penalty shootout.
Currently, Australia sits second in Group C, tied on five points with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain but ahead on goal difference. The outcome of Thursday's match could significantly influence which teams secure direct qualification for the 2026 finals in North America.
Japan leads the group with a five-point advantage and is well-positioned to secure one of the two automatic spots for the global tournament.
Under the guidance of Tony Popovic, Australia has experienced a resurgence, revitalizing their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over China and a commendable 1-1 draw in Japan during the last window.
Before this turnaround, Australia faced an unusual home defeat to Bahrain and a goalless draw against Indonesia, which led to Arnold's resignation amid widespread criticism.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is seeking to stabilize their performance after parting ways with Italian coach Roberto Mancini, following a 2-0 loss to Japan and a 0-0 draw with Bahrain.
Renard is likely to be well-acquainted with many players in the squad he has taken over and may anticipate improved dynamics with senior players after reports of discord during Mancini's tenure.
Considering the Green Falcons' largely unfavorable away performance and their recent difficulties in scoring, it is probable that Renard and his team will be satisfied with securing a draw against Australia prior to their match in Indonesia next Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Australia defender Cameron Burgess informed reporters that the team was preparing for unforeseen challenges.
"We may encounter various unexpected elements," he remarked. "They have a new manager and a different style of play.
"They are familiar with this manager from before, so there will be a level of comfort among the players.
"Therefore, there are aspects to analyze, but more crucially, we need to focus on how we can exploit their weaknesses."
SportsLigue