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AAP
AAP
Anna Harrington

Bangladesh wary of Socceroos' tall timber

Bangladesh will hope to avoid giving the Socceroos' tall timber the chance to dominate their World Cup qualifier

Australia appear certain to focus on using their massive height advantage when they kick off their campaign at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

Towering centre-back Harry Souttar (198cm) has eight goals in 18 caps and is a devastating aerial threat alongside fellow centre-back Cameron Burgess (194cm).

Midfielder Jackson Irvine (189cm) and strikers Kusini Yengi (187cm) and Mitch Duke (186cm) are also strong in the air.

"It's one of the points that we have discussed for longer since we know we are playing with Australia," Bangladesh coach Javier Fernandez Cabrera said.

"For us, Australia as a whole is definitely one of the best teams in Asia and one of the best teams in the world. 

"When we talk about set plays, probably if not the best, it's top five in the world, no doubt. 

"The way they organise, the way they work, the discipline they have in these kind of situations plus their size and their physical superiority obviously for teams like us is a huge challenge. 

"So hopefully we will be able to fight, hopefully we'll be able not to give too many set plays or corner kicks or give away free kicks."

The Socceroos are anticipating having to break down a packed defence.

"Hopefully at least for some time, we'll be able to fight and at least make things as difficult as possible for Australia," Fernandez Cabrera said.

"Of course we'll try to score. Hopefully we'll get some chances. I think we have to try to be ourselves as much as possible. 

"That way of playing or that idea of playing is what has brought us here and to take this opportunity. I don't think we would get anything from changing that just for a game. 

"We have to take the best from here and make sure that after this experience, the team is a better team."

Captain Jamal Bhuyan also relished the prospect of impressing some Bangladeshi fans at AAMI Park.

"For us it's also to show them that we have a good team and Bangladesh has some good players," he said.

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