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Mark Schwarzer says the Socceroos must remain patient throughout Friday's testing World Cup qualifier against Oman in Muscat.
Mark Schwarzer urged the Socceroos to keep cool heads in the boiling conditions in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Oman in Muscat.
Australia open their final stage of qualifying for Brazil in 2014 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex with temperatures expected to climb into the high 30s for the 5pm (11pm AEST) kickoff.
The Socceroos have come unstuck against Oman in the past with the heat and time-wasting tactics frustrating them.
Schwarzer said Australia had to remain patient against the hosts who humbled the Socceroos 1-0 in Muscat last November.
"It's going to be a different style of football than we play normally because of the conditions," he said.
"It's got to be more controlled, more disciplined in the way that you attack as well.
"We're going to need to make sure we play as close to our best as possible."
Schwarzer said maintaining concentration in the testing conditions would be crucial.
"You've got to play more with your head than your body," he said.
Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has some interesting selection decisions on his hands.
Josh Kennedy is expected to start up forward with either Tim Cahill, Alex Brosque or Harry Kewell playing just behind him.
Mark Bresciano and Mile Jedinak should hold the central midfield positions with Matt McKay on the left and Luke Wilkshire on the right.
David Carney is likely to get the start at left-back with Sasa Ognenovski expected to edge out Matthew Spiranovic for the central defensive position next to Lucas Neill.
Osieck was cryptic about Rhys Williams' fitness on match eve but he would appear to be the best option at right-back if Wilkshire plays in the midfield.
The German coach was confident his highly-experienced team could handle any distractions thrown at it on Friday.
"There have been some bumps in the road to adapting (to conditions in Asia)," he said.
"Now I am sure we are on the way."
Oman are missing key midfielder Fawzi Bashir through suspension and have several important players sidelined with injury.
However, cracking the home side's defence could still prove difficult with English Premier League goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi between the posts.
"We're going to have to be at our best to try to get one past him," Schwarzer said.
Those sentiments were shared by Cahill.
"He's hard to beat," he said.
Australia face a tough turnaround with their second qualifying match against Asian champions Japan in Brisbane on Tuesday.
The Japanese team, who thrashed Oman 3-0 last Sunday at home, host Jordan at Saitama Stadium on Friday before making the more time-zone friendly flight to Australia.
Brett Holman is set to miss the matches against Oman and Japan for family reasons. The top two teams from the group stage earn direct qualification to the World Cup.
