Don´t panic against Aussies, Qatar coach Metsu tells his squad

Newly-installed Qatar coach Bruno Metsu has assured his Gulf underdogs they can shock mighty Australia in their World Cup showdown in Brisbane as long as they stay cool.

Qatar are the surprise leaders of Group A in the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup after collecting four points from a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan and a 1-1 draw with Bahrain.

Australia have three points after their victory against Uzbekistan while Japan and Bahrain, who make up the group, both have a point each.

But Qatar lost 3-0 and 3-1 when they faced the Socceroos in the previous round and Metsu, who replaced Jorge Fossati as coach after the Uruguayan left because of illness, knows that they face another tough assignment on October 15.

“Obviously Australia have got so much talent and start as favourites,” Metsu told the Gulf Times newspaper.

“And with Ramadan just over it’s going to be difficult for our players.”

But the 54-year-old Frenchman, who took Senegal to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, insists Qatar will not be intimidated by the Australians.

“I promise you that we will play differently this time around,” he said.

“We know Australia will have a lot of the ball. We must know in our minds that even though we might be under pressure for large parts of the game, we will get our chances if we keep calm and keep working hard

“But football is full of uncertainties and anything can happen.”

Metsu resigned as United Arab Emirates coach last week.