Tony Popovic has warned Australia against underestimating Indonesia as the Socceroos seek to take a giant step towards automatic World Cup qualification.
Australia will meet Indonesia at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Thursday night, knowing a win will significantly boost their chances of making next year's tournament in North America.
The Socceroos can ill-afford any further slip-ups if they want to avoid the play-off qualification route, given they sit in second spot on seven points with four sides - Indonesia, next Tuesday's opponents China, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain - all one point behind them.
Indonesia thwarted and frustrated Australia in a 0-0 draw last September, with the Socceroos' frontline unable to find a way to get past their low block.
The draw in Jakarta marked the end of Graham Arnold's tenure and in the time since Indonesia have been bolstered by the addition of several players from the diaspora and the appointment of new manager Patrick Kluivert.
"The group is very tight, so there is no reason to underestimate Indonesia," Popovic said.
"Their last result (a 2-0 win) against Saudi Arabia proves that.
"But the expectation of the Australian public, is that they should expect their national team to produce and to play good football.
"Then I expect every Australian to get behind the team tomorrow, which is what we want and we know that that'll help us tomorrow night."
Popovic said he had no fitness concerns but will only be able to name 23 players in his matchday squad.
The Socceroos manager's most intriguing selection conundrum will come in the frontline with Popovic leaving experienced striker Mitchell Duke out of his squad, while playmaker Riley McGree is unavailable due to injury.
Popovic has preferred to use a 5-2-2-1 system in his four games in charge of Australia thus far.
"We have a variety of profiles," Popovic said.
"It's more about what type of player we want to begin the game and then come on in the match.
"We have a mixture of players that are very dynamic, (are able to) run in behind, (be) creative between lines, (have) a lot of power and hold the ball up.
"We have a real mix, we know what we will do and we will show you tomorrow night."
Adam Taggart and Brandon Borrello represent the strongest locally based options to fill the role, while Kusini Yengi offers a dynamic alternative to take on a stubborn Indonesia defence.
Yengi made his first start in clubland for Portsmouth since November last Saturday.
Yengi missed three months of the season with a knee injury.
"He (Yengi) played 65 minutes on the weekend and started which is always important," Popovic said.
"He has looked good but you can't replicate the (lack of) game time but we know what Kusini gives us."
