THAILAND soccer coach Winfried Schafer says he's not expecting an aerial bombardment from Australia in Friday's World Cup qualifier to be staged in Brisbane.

The Socceroos kick off their qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014 against the Group D outsiders, and Schafer admits the match will be Thailand's toughest outing in a group that also includes Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The experienced German, who led Cameroon to the African Nations Cup title in 2002, also faces a selection headache with several key players unavailable through injury.

Although the Socceroos attack features the twin threat of beanpole striker Josh Kennedy, currently top scorer in Japan's J-League, and the famed heading ability of Tim Cahill, Schafer expects much of the match to be played along the ground.

"Australia do not play high balls, they play very good football with the ball going to strikers along the ground," said Schafer.

"I watched the Australia team matches against Germany and also Wales. Australia is a very good team with good discipline.

"You must fight, you must run and you must play with courage against Australia.

"We are happy to qualify for this stage and have the chance to play against Australia."

Thailand last week played out a scoreless draw against Singapore in its most recent international outing with Australia's coach Holger Osieck, an acquaintance of Schafer's, in Bangkok for the match.

The Thais will be without a trio of defenders this Friday with captain Nattaporn Phanrit the biggest loss.