To see the Olyroos in training today...

It’s do-or-die for both teams with just goal difference separating the two sides at the top of their qualifying group…and only one can go on to Beijing 2008.

But Olyroos coach Graham Arnold is convinced his side has what it takes to reach the Olympics next year.

“These are the next Socceroos,” said Arnold. “It’s a game we have to win but I’m very confident at home for this crucial game.

“We’ll need to at our best and hopefully we’ll have a big crowd because we’ll need the extra support.

He added: “Iraq are a very good side. Their first team won the Asian Cup and they have quite a few squad members who were part of that.

“We’ve already played them at Qatar in 42 degree heat and now we have them back in our surroundings and we’re very happy to be back at home.”

Arnold predicts a tight fight against Iraq, a team which has matched Australia step for step in the campaign so far.

“They haven’t conceded a goal yet and neither have we,” he said. “We’ve very close in quality with very similar style players.

"They scored five against Lebanon to our three and that’s the only difference between the two teams.

“It’ll be a frustrating game. They’re a very good side, well very organised and we’ll have to be at our best.”

He added: “It’s going to get down to who takes their chances on the night.

“If we can beat Iraq, goal difference will pretty much look after itself. All we have to do is worry about what we have to control and that’s get the result.”

The Olyroos have a few casualty list worries. “We’ve got injuries – Stuart Musialik is a big question mark,” said Arnold.

“He had his appendix out last week. Nick Ward has had a sports hernia operation and Matty Spiranovic has a knee problem so we do have our problems but we have quite a bit of depth."

The Aussie-based Olyroos were released from their A-League clubs for a three day camp this week and today were put through their paces on the artificial surface at Seymour Shaw Park in Sydney’s south.

After the Iraq match, they will be flying off to face North Korea who have played all their home games on a plastic pitch in frosty conditions.

Arnold revealed the man-made paddock was a whole new experience for him.

“I’ve never played on it,” he admitted. “It is much different - the ball moves much slower and bounces higher.

“You have to play a lot more ball to feet, running defences are probably on the cards as well because you can’t slide too much on it.

“It’s all new to us but we have to get used to it.”

The former Socceroos coach also paid tribute to his starlets for their dedication to the cause.

"These guys have been unbelievable," he said. “We’ve played games in the Middle East on a Wednesday night, finished a game at 9pm then fly out at 4am the next morning, travel back 14 or 15 hours and then played with their A-League clubs on a Friday night.

"Their attitude has been first class.”

He added: "This defence here is pretty much our next Socceroo defence with Adrian Leijer, Spiranovic, Milligan, Topor-Stanley – these guys are nearly ready for Socceroo duty.

“That’s why it’s so important to qualify for the Olympics - to give these guys another ten months of international football.”

To see the Olyroos in training today...