KAZAN, Russia, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia coach Bert van Marwijk said on Friday that his men must show both discipline and guts in their World Cup opener against France in Kazan.
Van Marwijk was just announced as Australia's new coach this January. The 66-year-old admitted in the pre-match press conference that the Socceroos didn't have very much time to prepare, but he emphasized that the team has made a lot of progress and says he feels "satisfied with the performance right now."
Australia is in Group C with France, Peru and Denmark. The Socceroos will face the Les Bleus in Kazan on Saturday.
"Our first goal is to survive in the first round (of the group stage)," said van Marwijk.
Van Marwijk admitted that when Australia play against France for 10 times, they will "lose eight to nine times."
"We have worked hard to get a situation (where) maybe we lose five or six times, but we also can win a few times and draw a few times as well", add van Marwijk.
The coach told the press that the key to victory over France is to be "well-organized."
"When you're well-organized and believe in something, and everybody knows exactly from each other what to do and you have the guts to play, and to be yourself, then we have a chance," said the Australia coach.
However, the Australian boss refused to give any details on the match against France.
"I'm not going to talk here about tactics and our plan against France," van Marwijk said, "we know we are going to play against one of the best countries in the world and they have the chance to win the World Cup."
Saudi Arabia was thrashed 5-0 by Russia in Moscow on Thursday. As the former coach of Saudi Arabia, van Marwijk does not fear that his team will repeat the Saudi Arabia scenario at the game against France.
"If we assume that we have no chance, we better not come tomorrow. If you are well organized and you believe in yourself you also have a chance against a better opponent," the Dutchman added.
