"Of course, it will be a difficult challenge, but one that we've prepared well for, and we come in with confidence and we have our own belief as well that we can also cause them some problems," said Tony Popovic, Australia coach.
To simulate the upcoming atmospheric and logistical challenges, Australia scheduled prior warm-up games against Mexico in Los Angeles and Switzerland in San Diego.
"The Mexico game, playing in front of almost 80,000 people, pretty much everyone against you in the stadium, so that was a good little test for us," said Tony Popovic, Australia coach.
The early noon kick-off time forced the Socceroos to alter their usual morning schedules and routines during tournament preparation.
"Then the Switzerland game, playing at 12[pm], we tested logistically how that would look for us for this match, and we got some learnings from that, and we put them in place for this game," said Tony Popovic, Australia coach.
Popovic noted the steady progression and maturation of his individual players throughout the international tournament cycle.
"When we started this journey together, and we've seen the evolution of the team, the growth of the team.
We're seeing players maturing individually, but also being able to add collectively as one," said Tony Popovic, Australia coach.
The manager emphasized that the recent victory over Turkey solidified the team's mental readiness for the World Cup stage.
"It's been building and that [game against Turkey] was a game that it all came together in terms of the belief, being present in the moment, understanding it's a World Cup – for a lot of the boys for the first time – they are playing as if they belong there.
