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AAP
AAP
Sport
Anna Harrington

Containing superstar a perfect challenge for Socceroos

Colombian superstar Luis Diaz is capable of giving the world's best defenders nightmares.

But in the eyes of Socceroos boss Tony Popovic, that should make him the dream assignment for his understrength defence ahead of next year's World Cup finals.

Bayern Munich gun and former Liverpool winger Diaz, 28, headlines the threats posed by world No.13 Colombia in Wednesday's friendly at New York's Citi Field - one of Australia's sternest tests to date under Popovic.

"We will be against the best players in the world come the World Cup," Popovic said.

"And when you look at where he's come from, where he's played - at Liverpool, Bayern Munich, outstanding for Colombia.

"Again, a player that's played the highest level, 50, 60 games a year - that's what you're up against.

"But that's what's coming in June. So we can expose ourselves to that now."

Lewis Miller.
Lewis Miller looks likely to have the job of keeping Luis Diaz quiet. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Right-back Lewis Miller looms as the man charged with handling Diaz, but Popovic knows it will take more than a shutdown job to handle a slick Colombian attack.

"We know his strengths. We know that it's a player, with two or three others in their squad, that are key to them," he said.

"We have to try and maybe stop the service that gets to him in the areas that he likes it. 

"And he's very strong in transition. His best moments are when actually they're defending deep and they play him a ball and then he's one-on-one with the defender. 

"And we've got to try and avoid those moments of giving the ball away in areas that can hurt us. 

"But a great test, great challenge, and I'll make sure the players are looking forward to it."

Tony Popovic.
Popovic is eager for the Socceroos to improve their record against South American opposition. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia is looking to bounce back from Saturday's 1-0 loss to Venezuela and right a poor record against South American opposition.

The Socceroos have just nine wins against South American teams from 49 attempts and have never beaten Colombia, recording two draws and two defeats.

"We wanted these matches for this reason, that it will be a difficult challenge, great opponents, in particular Colombia, and we may face one of them come the World Cup," Popovic said.

"The key will be to get the job done in the World Cup. I want to win every game as a coach, so I'm not happy we lost the last match, but I've got to accept that and that responsibility that comes with the result. 

"But I'll put a team out there that I believe can get a result against Colombia and perform better than against Venezuela.

"We have to break that duck against South American opposition. So that's something we have to do."

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