About 72,000 spectators are expected to fill Brasilia’s Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha on Saturday (Sunday AEST) to watch one of the top ten teams take on Australia’s national team.
In a blockbuster fixture, world number nine Brazil will get the home advantage, and take on a tentative Australian squad, raring to get up to World Cup standards.
Already, one marquee player is out. Tim Cahill had to be sidelined thanks to an ankle injury he sustained playing for his Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls last weekend.
Also failing a medical was defender Luke Wilkshire, who is now flying back to Russia to his club Dinamo Moscow to recover.
Coming into the game as underdogs, the team will be using the match as a chance to play at the standard expected of them in 2014.
Striker Brett Holman is confident the team will at least get some good chances.
“I think against any team you’re always going to get chances,” said key striker Brett Holman.
“I doesn’t matter how great or how world class any team is, they always give away chances and individually and the quality that they have, they’re phenomenal and they’ve got great players.
“But, we’ve got good players as well and they’re showing that in all the leagues they’re playing in.
“We’re going to get chances and, who knows, maybe we can cause a great upset.”
Brazil has been in stellar form, with the exception of their loss to Switzerland last month, they’ve had an impressive record of friendlies. They managed an 8-0 win against China, a 6-0 win against Iraq and comfortable wins over Argentina, France and Mexico.
Brazil also took the 2013 Confederations Cup title on home soil in June, beating world and European champions Spain 3-0 in the final.
At least, if the game doesn’t go too well for the Socceroos, they’ve made an invaluable impression on the locals. Arriving in Brazil this week, the team took the time to meet and greet young aspiring footballers including local children from the Salão Ajax football club. The team will provide $2,400 to purchase uniforms and sporting equipment so children aged between four and 18 years can participate in local competitions.
The Socceroos will play 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts and five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil at Brasilia’s Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha on Saturday 7 September. Kick off is at 4.15 pm local time (Sunday 8 September, 5.15 am AEST).
The match will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Sports 3HD and Fox Sports 3 from 5.00 am AEST.
