Carl Valeri from the Mixed Zone.

SBS Reporter Massimiliano Civili talks Italian with Carl Valeri

I met up with Canberra's Socceroo Carl Valeri in the mixed zone after the Thailand match.



Carl was warming up ready to replace Vinnie Grella when Mark Viduka scored.



"I almost got on, almost got on. But (Graham Arnold) changed his mind at the last minute," said Carl.



"Thailand were one of the best teams in the Group. It's a pity they aren't going through. Technically they were very good."



"Preparation has been good throughout the tournament but tonight we seemed to mentally be sharper. Maybe it was the atmosphere, the crowd were fantastic and seemed to lift us.



It wasn't easy for The Socceroos. They were pinned back for most of the second half.



"That's normal in football as they chase an equalizer, they'll push forward. It was a tactical game of soccer. And then they leave gaps and we can expose them, as we did. I'm just happy that we got through."



"It gives me a bit of an extra chance to play in the Asia Cup which would be great."



What about the mood in the camp.



"Mood hasn't change, We've always been a tight group."



"After the game the mood was relief. We can forget the last performances and look forward to Japan now. It would have been disappointing to go out now without showing what we can do."



Is the squad getting fitter?



"I don't know about me as I haven't be tested. But the team look sharper tonight."



Are you looking forward to Hanoi and the Japan game?



"Yes, it'll be a great game. Can't wait."

At football games across the World you always find.....

A Celtic fan

I stumbled across Mick Whalen dashing up the very steep stairs before the Thailand Australia game.

And as a Celtic fan seeing the shirt in the middle of 55,000 Thai fans, well it just lifts your heart really.

Best Celtic game Peter ever saw?

"When we won the European Cup in 1967. We were the first British team to win it."

Tonight Peter originally from Scotland, lived for a long time in Melbourne, but now resides in Pattaya, Thailand was supporting the Aussies.

The wrap from the post-match in the mixed zone.

Didn't they do well. Sydney FC's Australian defenders!

Well we did it, and players and press were happy to chatlast night



Here's a few snippets of what was said.



Graham Arnold, "Well tonight we played well for 85 minutes."



An insider, "We gave the ball way too much in the second half. If Vinnie has it and players aren't moving he's wondering do you want it or don't you. We need to improve, it's not good."



Mark Milligan, "Great to have two Sydney boys in the team. No I didn't know Dave (Carney) was defender. I've never seen him play there, and I've never seen him defend before." he laughs



Dave Carney, "No I've never played left back in my life. I thought I did well, and I felt pretty comfortable."



Simon Hill, "Could be the ratings of the year on Saturday 8:30 against Japan."



Robbie Slater, "Everyone's smiling now."



Simon Hill, "They will have to improve for Saturday."



Carl Valeri, "I was just about to get on and then we scored."



Thai Coach, "Australia were lucky tonight. The weather helped them."



Mood was good. It was great to be around after a win. I've seen the ugly, after Iraq, so nice to see The Australian manager and players relaxed.



It's been a tense time. Saturday is what joining Asia is all about.



Atmosphere was tremendous last night. Well done Thailand a fantastic performance. Hard to believe they are semi-pros!

Bit of colour outside the ground

Just before the storm hit, crowd was building up nicely.

They seemed convinced Thailand will win, but watching Japan pump Vietnam 4-1 at the moment

Surely Australia can beat Thailand.

Need to score first I think

This one has a different feel about it.

The crowds have been small for the Australian games so far. Walking around the stadium there have been plenty of Aussies but that's about it.

Today feels different. The drums are already here three hours or so before kick-off.

There is a buzz about the ground.The Thai people have been delighted by their team and incredibl noisy in their continual ear-splitting support. Expect more of the same today.Possibly an even bigger crowd as this is the first game played in the evening Thai time.

Most games have been played at 5.20...when most Thai's are at work, plus it takes a good hour or more in heavy traffic to get to the ground.

A good crowd is expected. Surely the Aussies will lift.

They were much fitter in the last game. With Kewell expected to start on the bench and provide class late on. Australia should finish strongly.

Five wins out fifteen is hardly Asian Favourites material.

But the team need desperately to win this one, to save face.

At least a knock-out place and suddenly things aren't so grim.

Of course Australia can do it. But it will all, I believe, hinge on our defensive performance.

If we concede a goal, Arnie tends to throw forwards on. This defence isn't good enough to go man on man at the back. Although Thailand may struggle if Australia score first.

It will very interesting to see Arnold's chosen team and how Australia approach the game.

Australian Football Expert Richard Jones speaks.

Speaking from Canberra, long time Football analyst Richard Jones has announced his team for tonight.

Jones says, "I don't think it matters if they play 3 or 4 at the back. It's the midfield cover that is the problem as much as anything."

"And Viduka needs Archie up with him. He's been too isolated. And Harry needs to fire.
Schwarzer (probably doesn't deserve it)."

"Milligan Beauchamp Kisnorbo (only cos Neill is suspended) or Thwaite
Kewell Bresciano (doesn't deserve it but who else is there)Valeri (in for Grella)Cahill Carle
Thompson Viduka."

A youthful and aventurous team Mr Jones, but it could just win the game. Will Arnold be so bold?

We can only hope. Interesting at training on Saturday, Breciano and Grella did nothing, merely light light jogging around the pitch.

Given Grella was taken off in the first game and his surprisingly for him, poor performances in his key roll, he may well not be match fit.

Will Anold risk Valeri? Seems like big reputations get the nod, no matter how bad the performances.

What star man has he dropped? Is he content just to keep picking guys who are not performing when he has a few younger keener guys on the bench.

He better do something before it's too late. His job is lost already even if he wins the tournament but it feels like the Coach is trapped in the headlights unable to move left or right.

Will we win?

Press Conference:Harry and Arnie

Mood was better at today's Press Conference even if the photography wasn't.

"Do you know you can still win the tournament," asked a journo.

"Yes." said Harry.

Everyone roared. It was the way he delivered it.

Arnie well he was given an easy ride today. I guess everyone knows it's all going pear shaped.

Who would have thought Australia would fear Thailand, yes that's right Thailand.

Some say will we win, others are sure we're gone.

Arnie inspired few.

I asked, "Given our defensive performances against Denmark, Singapore and the two games here, do you have confidence that the defence can remain goalless tomorrow night."

"Yes, we're working hard on defence, but it's not about the four guys at the back, it's about the whole team. Your defence starts with your forwards."

Hmmmmn I wasn't convinced, and Arnie is a good bloke but clearly he doesn't seem to be ready for the challenges of the second biggest football tournament that our national team can play in.

Still you can hope if the defence performs, and maybe Olyroos Captain Mark Milligan is about to grab his chance. He looked like he was going to play as he walked through the lobby today. Looks can be deceptive.

Either we win and the journey continues. Surely we can beat Thailand, surely.

Aussie players meet the fans

It's all gonna be okay!

Good turnout from the Aussie fans today. A positive spirit prevailed.

Players were a little cautious at first, to say the least. But they were welcomed by the Australian travelling fans.

A good exercise planned months ago, but it probably gave everyone a lift.

Chants of "Right foot," were bellowed to Sydney FC's notoriously left-footed David Carney.

"He's such a goalie," as keeper Mark Scharzwer was asked to join in a dribbling drill.

A great roar went up when Our Harry scored an overhead kick in training. Harry played the crowd and seemed the most relax he's been all week.

And Tim Cahill's kid who is about three or four, took off across the stadium and dribbled the ball into the net.

A great cheer from the fans, and of course, "Sign him up."

So it was all smiles.

But who will be smiling come Monday night? Let's hope it's Graham Arnold.

I wonder what FFA CEO Ben Buckley thinks?

CEO Ben Buckley with John Kosmina, and Michael Lynch

At training the day after the Iraq game. I starting to quiver a little at that word. Iraq.

Doesn't it sound like Iran, just a little, or maybe that's just my twitch.

Anyway I wonder what our CEO Ben Buckley makes of it all.

An open training session today and the Australian players must have been lifted by the amazingly positive support.

We might come bottom of the group in our first Asian Cup tournament. Laughable really if it wasn't football.

Still if we win on Monday and results go our way, ie Iraq win or draw then we're off to Hanoi.

And as Mile Sterjovski said today, "A change of scenary may be just the thing to lift us."

With some defensive stability, we can win. Then we'll play Japan. A big ask on our present form.

Please ask Rob Baan to sort out the defence, or ask Arnie to explain to the nation what the heck he is trying to do with our defence because it is driving me mad. Has been for months.

Imagine if we get out of the group, then sure we're disappointed because, face it,we thought we'd walk it, but we can still progress and then every game is a sudden death.

Come on Australia. What could be better than four more do-or-die games with Aussie pride on the line.

Come on Arnie, sort the defence. Put Mark Milligan in. Michael Thwaite or Michael Beauchamp as well. Shift Emerton up the park. Give Harry a rest. Bring him on later.

Tell Viduka he has 60 minutes and no more, and get him to run like the wind for 60.

Fire up Australia we can still do it.

We were much more mobile yesterday, more offensive. So with an improved defensive performance I think we can win.

I do I really do.