players going out there and making it happen. He prepares us during training in the week in a certain way. He’ll always put forward two or three different options on how we are going to approach the game, so we can change things during it if need be. But it’s also about how we go out and put that into practice. The way we have executed that in our first two games has been spot on. In Uzbekistan we tried to play in a specific way and we did exactly what we wanted to do and we got the result. And again against Qatar, we had a few things that we had to focus on in the game and we did that, we got our breakthrough and we made sure we punished them when our chances arose. The gameplan was perfect and well executed.

One thing you seem to be doing well is guarding against complacency, both on and off the pitch. Is that something you’re conscious of as a team now?
Definitely. For example when we played Qatar, beating them twice previously could have lulled us into a false sense of security and we had to guard against that. A few of the more experienced players rallied around the younger ones to try and make sure they remained focused on the task ahead and remained sharp.

The two wins have put us in a great position and it’s helped to neutralise the threat of the other big team in the group, Japan. Does that put you at ease?
We’re not concerned about anyone else in our group, we’re just focused on ourselves. If we win the majority of our games then we have insurance in case we trip up and lose a game in the group. We’ve done enough elsewhere that we’re covered. But as I said we want to get there as quick as possible and let everyone else worry about fighting for second.

What is the big difference between this team and the one that went to the World Cup in 2006?
I think we were a lot younger and inexperienced going into 2006 and we had a “no fear” attitude about us. We were going into the unknown, no-one had ever been there or experienced a World Cup before as a player. Now we have a group of players who have experienced it and want it again and another group who saw what happened and are desperate to get a taste of the action. As a result we’ve got a collective hunger from those who’ve been there and want some more and those who are desperate to experience it for themselves. That hunger makes everybody – and I mean everbody, the players, the staff and the Australian public – really determined to get Australia to the World Cup again. We all want the experience that we had in 2006 again.

How much does the support of the fans help spur you on?
They do a great job. We all appreciate and realise how much of an honour it is to play for our country. We’re getting people turn up to our games who idolise us and cheer us because we’re doing something that they all dream about doing – representing their country at the highest level. And I never take that for granted. It’s one thing that I think we can all be proud of as a nation that we are always looking to do our best for the country. They want to be staying up late cheering us on, experiencing the highs and lows of supporting their country in the World Cup.

You’ve even gone so far as to ask fans to keep a check of their emotions. Is there a heavier weight of expectation this time?
There’s certainly a different mindset now. Before it was let’s hope we get to the World Cup and let’s see what comes of it. Now it’s we have to get to the World Cup because we are good enough. And we have to put that kind of pressure on ourselves. We’re ranked 30th in the world now and we want to get into the top 20, and when we get there then we’re going to try to break into the top 10. We’ve got to keep raising our level and not just be happy with going to the odd World Cup now and again. We’ve got to keep improving and making sure that the game in this country is progressing. And that starts with keeping the A-League strong and building for the future and eventually we can be seen as a country that can host the World Cup.

So you feel there’s a real chance to improve on the performance of 2006?
Well there’s not much point in playing if I don’t think we can improve. The way we experienced the World Cup last time, all the “what ifs” that were thrown out there. What if Italy didn’t get a penalty? What if we’d won the game? What if we’d beaten Ukraine, we could’ve got to the semi-finals of a World Cup. It proved that all you have to do is get there and then anything is possible. And with this team we’re building something here and we’ve still got two years until it reaches its peak. We’ve got so much more to learn but at the moment, we’ve got the hunger, determination and desire to become a really good outfit.

You said the sign of a good captain is to take them to a World Cup… What would that mean to you when you look back at your career that not only did you captain a team in the World Cup but that you led them there?
To be captain of your country is the greatest honour you can have in your football career. To captain your country and lead them to the ultimate tournament in the game – the holy grail – it doesn’t get any bigger or better than that. To be able to walk your team out in front of the world to take on the best teams, there can be no greater privilege. For me that’s the dream now. It’s to get to the World Cup, but it holds extra special value for me because I’m the guy that gets to walk out first, I’m the guy that wears the armband that represents the entire nation. Even now talking to you about it, it makes me tingle.

How has it changed you as a footballer being a captain, with the added responsibility?
I’ve become a little bit more vocal, in the changing room and also more so out on the pitch. But I like that, I relish that. I’m also aware now that all eyes are on me. That just makes you become more professional, which I’d like to think I always was, but you know you’re always being analysed and there are a lot of people looking up to you and looking for guidance. You’ve always got to be at your best, always be positive. You’ve always got to be there to advise people if they need it, to kick people up the bum if they need it too. I’ve got to man manage as well as worry about my own performance. When you say all that it sounds like a hard task but being the captain of the Australian team is a pleasure because of the talent I have around me.

Was that something you always had in you or was it something that you’ve had to work at?
I’d like to think that it’s a natural thing that I have. But I’ve also played on some (continued on next page)