Australia v Iraq, preview

Venue & Time: Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Friday July 13, 20:20 AEST

Head to Head: Australia 1, Iraq 0

Form: The Socceroos turned in one of their worst performances in a long time in the opening group game against Oman and were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw, thanks to Tim Cahill's injury-time equaliser. And if not for keeper Mark Schwarzer, Oman could have put the game beyond reach before Cahill's late intervention. Iraq also drew its opening group game 1-1 with hosts Thailand but was unlucky to fall behind due to a dubious penalty early in the game before equalising and then dominating the first half. But it performed poorly after the re-start and was lucky to escape with a point.

Worries: Will the Socceroos be able to cope with the heat second time around? In their opening group match - which kicked off at the same time as this match - the Australians seemed listless and attempted to conserve energy, particularly early in the game when they were caught out by Oman taking the lead. The defence was a worry yet again, with the central defensive pairing of Patrick Kisnorbo and Lucas Neill looking particularly shaky. Iraq too seemed to fade in the heat and humidity in its opening match against Thailand and its defence also looked vulnerable as the hosts swarmed all over them in the second half.

Danger man:

AUSTRALIA: Tim Cahill: The Everton man is simply a marvel, yet again saving the Socceroos in the opening game with his late equaliser, just as he did when also coming off the bench to score two goals to beat Japan in the opening World Cup game last year. The fact that it was his first match for more than three months, after breaking a bone in his foot, made Cahill's performance all the more remarkable and, now that he appears ready to start, expect the Socceroos' attack to be far more dangerous in this match.

IRAQ: Younis Mahmoud: Iraq's star striker scored his team's equaliser in the opening game against Thailand and every time he got the ball he looked dangerous and a class above any other player on the pitch. Winner of the Golden Boot for the leading scorer in the tough Qatar league this season, he is a player of immense talent but one who is prone to petulant outbursts when he does not receive the ball where he likes it, as was also shown on occasions against Thailand.

We Think: This match has become a must-win game for the Socceroos but it won't be easy an Iraq side that it faces for in Mahmoud it possesses one of the best strikers in the tournament. But the return to fitness of Cahill, who is likely to start, will surely give the Socceroos' more firepower in attack this time around while Australia's most gifted player Harry Kewell should also be better for having one match under his belt. However the Socceroos still look vulnerable at the back. But their extra firepower should be enough to give them a narrow win. AUSTRALIA 2 Iraq 1.