Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
In and out of San Diego inside 36 hours.
That’s the plan the Socceroos hope can prove the perfect blueprint for their World Cup hit-and-run clash with the United States.
Australia travel on Friday to face Switzerland at noon on Saturday (5am Sunday AEST) at Snapdragon Stadium, then depart at night after the game to return to their Bay Area base.
The Socceroos’ final friendly before the World Cup will also prove a dress rehearsal for Australia’s second group match against the co-hosts on June 19 (June 20 AEST), with a similar midday kick-off and quick exit afterwards.
“That’s what we’re trying to do,” coach Tony Popovic told AAP.
“The 12 o’clock kick-off is a unique time – unique for food and unique for travel and playing.
“I suspect the temperature will be a bit cooler when we play in Seattle, which will be good.
“So, a good dress rehearsal, good last hit-out for players to get minutes in before the big dance in front of us.”
The tight, well-planned schedule should come as no surprise, given how prepared and meticulous Popovic is.
The Socceroos had their full squad in training this week, giving Popovic the opportunity to test out everyone, with players keen to get through the game and deliver in their final chance to impress before the Cup starts.
That includes newcomers Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi, who could make their respective international debuts in San Diego ahead of the World Cup.
Switzerland also pose a perfect warm-up for Australia to get to grips with a European opponent before their June 13 opener against Turkey in Vancouver.
Impressive midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler, 21, can’t wait for the challenge.
“Obviously they’re a very strong European side, with a lot of quality players that play in big leagues,” Okon-Engstler said.
The Socceroos are also eyeing a response to last week’s 1-0 loss to Mexico, where a sluggish start proved costly before they responded in style.
“You want to finish off on a win, with a great feeling, right?” playmaker Ajdin Hrustic said.
“If you look at the Mexico game, we didn’t give much away, but then you still lose 1-0, so you go off with a feeling where you’re like, do we deserve to lose?
“No, we didn’t, because we didn’t have that many chances against, right, and we had two, three chances where we should have, could have scored.
“The way we came out in the second half shows how good we can be.”
Australia and Switzerland have only played once, a 0-0 draw in 2010.
AUSTRALIA V SWITZERLAND
Saturday June 6, 12pm (Sunday June 7, 5am AEST)
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
World rankings: Australia 27, Switzerland 19
Highest ever ranking: Australia 14 (2009), Switzerland 3 (1993)
Lowest ever ranking: Australia 102 (2014), Switzerland 83 (1998)
Coaches: Australia, Tony Popovic; Switzerland, Murat Yakin
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Only previous meeting, September 3, 2010: Australia 0-0 Switzerland in St Gallen (friendly)
