Socceroos prepared to bide their time
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Verbeek says he expects the Qatari defence to frustrate the Socceroos going forward. (AAP: Julian Smith, file photo)
Australia's coach Pim Verbeek will instruct his players to exercise patience in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Qatar at Lang Park in Brisbane.
Verbeek's main task will be to keep his players from under-estimating Qatar after defeating them 3-0 and 3-1 in a previous stage of World Cup qualifying earlier this year.
Qatar's new coach Bruno Metsu is expected to utilise a defensive strategy in an attempt to frustrate Australia tactically, and Verbeek says his players must wait for their opportunity to pounce.
"It's not about 45 minutes or 30 minutes, it's about 90 minutes so if we finish the game and we have three points, that's more than enough for me," he said.
"I'd prefer to score as many goals as possible but this is international football, I think Metsu will not allow us to score five goals."
Verbeek dismissed Metsu's suggestion that Qatar has come to Brisbane looking for a draw.
Metsu claimed yesterday he would be more than satisfied to return home with a point, but Verbeek believes he is bluffing.
"Of course he will tell you that a draw is enough and that's the way we can expect it," he said.
"I expect them of course that they will defend, go for points and if they can pick three [points] then they of course have a fantastic game.
"It's our job to find a solution, to create chances and to score goals."
No Moore dilemmas
Meanwhile Verbeek has lauded the Socceroos' depth and relishes the prospect of leaving any number of quality players on the bench.
Craig Moore, Chris Coyne and Matthew Spiranovic are all vying to play alongside Lucas Neill in the centre of Australia's defence.
Verbeek says Moore's decision to come out of international retirement has presented him with a welcome selection decision.
"For me there are no headaches. It's more a headache for the coach if you don't have central defenders to choose, so it's great to have him back and it's a luxury to have players like that back in your selection," he said.
The Australian line-up will be without World Cup stars Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella, and the injured Carl Valeri.
Verbeek says Australia's other players will step-up in their absence.
"We will never have a full squad so it's good to have enough players for possibilities," he said.
"I don't look back to see I don't have the players that I don't have, I'm looking for the players that I have and I have enough players at the moment."
