Coach Pim Verbeek's main task will be to keep his Australian players from under-estimating tiny Qatar after beating them 3-0 and 3-1 in a previous stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying earlier this year. Frenchman Metsu has a proven record for upsetting fancied rivals, having steered Senegal to a 1-0 win over defending champions France to open the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Korea and Japan on the way to an unlikely quarter-final appearance.
The Socceroos, ranked 34 to Qatar's 78, are bolstered by the return of goal-poaching Everton midfielder Tim Cahill from a long-term foot injury and the likely recall of seasoned defender Craig Moore. Metsu, who has only been in charge of the Qataris since late last month, warned Australia that his team are poised for a major surprise.
"Sometimes it's important in football (to have) respect. Maybe in their mind, it is an easy game for Australia tomorrow," Metsu told reporters. "Maybe this is good for us. But we have worked very well for this game in the last eight days. Maybe we try to prepare a surprise. It's very difficult, very tough. But I believe in my players."
