Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s superior physicality can hurt Mohamed Salah’s Egypt and lift the Socceroos into the World Cup round of 16.
That’s the view of striker Tete Yengi as the Socceroos gear up for their do-or-die clash.
Australia will travel to Dallas on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) ahead of Friday’s clash with Egypt, where they will attempt to claim a maiden World Cup knockout win.
“We showed in the Turkey game, in the Paraguay game and bits in the US game that we can compete with good nations, play some good football,” Yengi said on Monday.
“So we just keep on looking to work hard every game.
“Physically, I think we’re superior to the other teams. So as long as we keep working on that and we show the rest of the game on the ball, we have top quality players.
“Everyone on the pitch can hurt teams at any time.”
All eyes are on whether Salah will be fit after a left hamstring injury, but Yengi is prepared for whatever Egypt throw Australia’s way.
“We know they’ll be an aggressive team,” Yengi said.
“They’ll fight for everything. They got their first-ever win against New Zealand in the World Cup. So I’m sure they’re looking to do it again.
“But we’ve just got to match that aggressiveness and play our game plan and it’ll be good.”
Yengi conceded he didn’t know a lot about Egypt’s defenders.
“We’ve done some clips. We know they can be a bit disorganised and we’ll look to punish that,” he said.
Despite progressing in second place, Australia are on a two-game goal scoring drought.
“They haven’t been easy games. They’ve been against good oppositions, good defensive organisations. So it’s difficult to score,” Yengi said.
“But we’re through and (into) the knockout stages. We have to score now to win. So we’ll do that, I think.”
Yengi, who was named in the World Cup squad even before he debuted, is ready to play any role required.
Coach Tony Popovic started Nestory Irankunda against Paraguay, then turned to Yengi as a late substitute over close friend Mohamed Toure.
Both Yengi and Toure are prepared to do whatever they need to do to get the job done and are working together to improve each other’s games.
Yengi, Toure and Irankunda are all friends from Adelaide.
“It’s a dream to be here with my friends that I’ve known since young,” Yengi said.
“We’re just enjoying it every day. Hopefully we can continue to enjoy it and continue to go further in the competition.
“We’re here to work hard also. We’re fighting against each other on the pitch.
“Me and Mo are in the same position. We’re friends but we’re also competing against each other, which I think brings a great culture.”
