Williams believes crowd can be 12th man
Qantas Under 23 striker David Williams believes the Central Coast public can be their 12th man, when they play their crucial Olympic Games qualifier against Iraq at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium next month.
Qantas Under 23 striker David Williams believes the Central Coast public can be their 12th man, when they play their crucial Olympic Games qualifier against Iraq at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium next month.
The penultimate match of the qualifying rounds, pits the top two teams in the group, with a win for either side, almost guaranteeing a place at the Beijing Olympics next year.
Williams, who plays for leading Danish club Brondby, is sure to be among the final squad chosen and knows first hand what playing in front of big home crowds can do for the team confidence in these big matches.
The former Queensland Roar player wants to see over 10,000 fans at the picturesque ground, which he has no doubts will create a terrific atmosphere and really get the boys pumped up for a huge performance. Already, just on 5,000 tickets have been sold for the Saturday November 17 clash.
“It-s a huge game and the more people we get, I think the better we play,” Williams said, shortly after his Brondby team had played out a 0-0 draw with Odense.
“In Adelaide we got 5,000 or so in some of the games and we got an okay crowd in Gosford last time, but I-m hoping for around 7-8,000+, which would be really good. However, I wouldn-t be amazed if we get a really big crowd, because I know people there are really getting into football and the Central Coast are doing really well in the Hyundai A-League.
“10-12,000 would be perfect; filling the stadium and having that atmosphere will definitely be an extra man for us,” Williams enthused.
Williams believes those fans that go the match will see an Australian team that is hell-bent on winning the match and will be out to attack and entertain.
“We want to play entertaining football when we are back home, but ultimately we want to win.
“If we get a goal, we-ll probably defend that and try and get three points out of the game. Our defence is really strong; we-ve got high-profile players at the back like Mark Milligan and Adrian Leijer, so I don-t think that conceding goals will be a problem for us.
“I think the main focus for us will be attacking (football)."
He concedes that scoring goals has sometimes been the teams biggest problems, but believes some lessons were learned from their last game, where they were held to a 0-0 draw by Lebanon, despite dominating for most of the match.
“We-ve just got to keep our heads; sometimes we panic a little bit, a little bit too eager sometimes. At times we go for the extra pass instead of shooting; it was just in the front third where we lacked in that game (against Lebanon).
“We need to stay cool, calm and just back ourselves in everything we do, because we have to play to score goals. We-ve got the players to do it; if we just compose ourselves, I think we-ll be fine.”
With Iraq having a three-goal better goal difference, the emphasis will be on Australia to win the match, but that-s a situation that could suit the team.
“I think they will just play for the draw, because they are ahead of us on goal difference. It will probably work better for us if they just sit back; it will give us more chance to attack and do well.
“Back home I think we will play quite well; we're really strong. Playing them away was a bit difficult; there was not much of a crowd and the heat was a problem, but I am confident of us doing really well. We-ve just got one aim and that is to get to the Olympics and we are on the right road to getting there.
“We have the team, the players, the right mindset and attitude are really good. I think we can do it and if we all believe in ourselves and have confidence and back ourselves to do it, I think we can go all the way.”
Ticketing details are as follows:
Australia v Iraq Saturday 17 November, kick-off 7.00pm AEDST Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford www.ticketek.com.au, phone 132 849 or at Ticketek outlets.
Ticket Prices -
Category A $18.00 - Adult $9.00 - Concession/Child $35.00 - Family
Category B $12.00 - Adult $6.00 - Concession/Child $24.00 - Family
**Please note for this match a $2.00 surcharge will be added to each ticket purchased at the venue**
Concession (Pensioner, Student, Child) Pensioner - Aged, (valid ID cards) including seniors cards Student - Full time tertiary and secondary school students (valid ID required) Child - 4-16 years inclusive (children 3 years and under are free unless they are occupying a seat)