BANGKOK - Oman coach Gabriel Calderon has warned Australia his side will go all-out-attack when the two sides meet in their opening AFC Asian Cup game on Sunday.
Thailand and Iraq announce the start of the tournament when they meet on Saturday night but much of the attention in the build up to the event has focused on how the Socceroos will fare while Oman have been somewhat kept in their shadow.
Australia have been installed as one of the favourites for the tournaments and are expected to qualify comfortably from the Group Stages.
Former Argentina international forward Calderon believes Oman are well capable of causing something of a shock in the clash at the Rajamangala stadium in Bangkok on Sunday and deny Australia their first points in the AFC Asian Cup.
But to do so he insists his side will not pack the defence in an effort to frustrate the Socceroos and instead will go on the attack from the start.
He said: “I used to be a striker and as a result my mentality is that. If you play defence you are sure to lose.
“For me, to ensure we don’t lose we need to attack.
“Maybe if we are winning then we will defend, or if the Australia team is strong and we cannot break through their defence then we will defend better, but at the start that will not be our attitude.”
Australia will be able to call on a full strength side with players like Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell fit and ready to go.
But despite the wealth of ability at coach Graham Arnold’s disposal, Calderon is adamant he and the players are not worried about the game, instead insisting it is other Group A opponents Thailand and Iraq they are more concerned about.
He added: “The match is nothing special. The biggest problem for us is that Australia are physically strong as well as having good technical ability and good organisation.
“We are not nervous. Perhaps it can be more difficult to wait for a game but the players are not worried. This game is probably the easiest for Oman as there is no pressure on us.
“Afterwards it will be difficult for us because Thailand and Iraq will also be wanting to qualify but against Australia there will be no pressure.”