Geria: We haven't qualified yet

Subway Socceroo Jason Geria said that the team would be approaching their final FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Qualifier against Saudi Arabia like any other game, as the job isn't done yet.
 

If Australia avoids defeat by five goals or more, they will qualify for the World Cup as the second-placed team in their qualifying group.

However, Geria said that the team was going out to win regardless of the situation.

Here to win

We have to approach this game as if we haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation. We haven't qualified yet. They [Saudi Arabia] have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching this game as if we have to win. That’s going to be the mindset from the start of the game, regardless of not conceding whatever amount of goals. Even though that's the task for them, I still think we're going there to win. We’re here to win. The coaching staff and all the players expect nothing less. It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. It's where we're here to get three points and still finish on as many points in this group as possible. We’re expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia. But we've played them before. We watch their games, and we know how they attack, and then also you know how they can be vulnerable as well. So yeah, we're here to win the game.

Back to earth

We were watching the Bahrain game, and Saudi won 2-0. So that brought us all back down to earth pretty quickly. Although it was an incredible night for everyone here in the country and Australian football and such an incredible moment for Aziz [Behich], we sort of all became grounded very quickly, and realised that the job's not done. It's not finished. We're nearly there, but it's not finished. We have a job here to do, and there's no room for complacency, or no room for assuming that things are automatically done. We still have another game to play. So I think everybody's mindset switched pretty quickly. I think it's a good thing because you have to come here prepared and then expect anything from Saudi Arabia.

Importance of first 15 minutes

I think it is one of those cases where the longer the scores remain nil, the less motivation they will have. The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy, but at the same time, I think our defence has shown over these past few games especially - when we played them the first time as well - that we're capable of keeping any team out. I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again. So it's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes is going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat and see if they can mentally get ahead of us in the game. I'm sure we'll go in there prepared for that. We are prepared for that. And like I said before, we're not going there to 'not lose'. We're going there to win, really. I think we're prepared for all scenarios.

Warm conditions

We've got coaching staff and medical staff who really help us with the conditions of our bodies and our fluids, our hydration, and being as best prepared for the game as possible in that aspect. The guys whose seasons had finished, they had that training camp for 10 days in the climate [in Abu Dhabi], which the boys have said was hotter than this. So they've prepared already. For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup can get you through a 35 degree game. It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot. That willpower itself is enough to get this team through that 90 or 95 minutes on Tuesday. It’s going to be tough, obviously, but I think boys are more than capable to do it.

Collective mindset

The boys already know what we have to do. We know the job isn't finished, and we know that it's not going to be easy, it's not going to be a walk in the park. It's been like that throughout the campaign, ever since the boss came in, ever since October, it's been one of really high standard of professionalism, maintaining elite standards in every aspect of the game, on the pitch, off the pitch, mentality, your recovery, approach to games, not being complacent. I don’t think we've ever been complacent any of these games. Although we're nearly there, so to speak, we're not there yet. So we still have a job to do, that’s the reality of the situation, and everybody's aware of that. I think we're in a good place mentally going into this game.

Match Details

Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+