Central Coast Mariners striker John Aloisi is confident a domestic-based Australia squad can escape from the "group of death" and advance to the next phase of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Socceroos are looking to secure a second consecutive World Cup finals berth after making their first appearance since 1974 in Germany last year, but have been handed a tough group alongside AFC Asian Cup champions Iraq, China and Asian Games gold medalists Qatar following Sunday's draw in Durban.
It is expected a squad comprising mainly A-League players will compete in the majority of the qualifying campaign, which begins on February 6, without Australia's overseas-based contingent.
But Aloisi, who scored the decisive penalty in the play-off victory against Uruguay which secured Australia's place in Germany, insists he has seen enough since he started playing with the Mariners this season to suggest Australia will be able to cope.
"I am getting to experience a fair bit of the A-League at the moment and I can see there are quite a few good players here," said the 31-year-old, who returned to Australia after enjoying spells in Belgium, England, Italy and most recently Spain.
"These first couple of games, the majority of the team will have to be A-League players, because it's going to be very difficult for the European-based players to come back.
"Coming towards the end of the season here, everyone will be fully match-fit and used to the conditions, so I am sure the players will be up for it here."
Aloisi is well aware of the challenge Australia face in their first taste of the Asian qualifying route after switching from the Oceania Football Confederation, but admits he is looking forward to the challenge.
"It's a tough group; a challenging one and I suppose this is the beauty of being in Asia," he added.
"We are going to play tough games and so if we do qualify, which we have to be confident of doing, we'll be better prepared for the World Cup.
"There will be big games that will be played in Australia, so there will be big crowds and it's a good test for everyone."
Australia will be looking to gain revenge against Iraq after the Socceroos suffered a 3-1 by the eventual champions the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup.
But Aloisi insists Australia's maiden continental experience in Asia will benefit the Socceroos in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
"I think we'll know what to expect this time round. We'll be more prepared," he added.
"I am sure this time we'll be more than capable of beating them. I am looking forward to that game and hopefully the rest of the boys are.
"We learned about the conditions; we've learned that no team is a pushover; we learned that they are very good on the ball. Technically most of the players are good, so we know what to expect this time.
"We know if we are playing at our best, we can beat any of the Asian sides and we know we have to be at our best and even the A-League-based squad I think can do a job against any of these sides playing at our best and I am sure that will be the case come the first game."
It is expected a squad comprising mainly A-League players will compete in the majority of the qualifying campaign, which begins on February 6, without Australia's overseas-based contingent.
But Aloisi, who scored the decisive penalty in the play-off victory against Uruguay which secured Australia's place in Germany, insists he has seen enough since he started playing with the Mariners this season to suggest Australia will be able to cope.
"I am getting to experience a fair bit of the A-League at the moment and I can see there are quite a few good players here," said the 31-year-old, who returned to Australia after enjoying spells in Belgium, England, Italy and most recently Spain.
"These first couple of games, the majority of the team will have to be A-League players, because it's going to be very difficult for the European-based players to come back.
"Coming towards the end of the season here, everyone will be fully match-fit and used to the conditions, so I am sure the players will be up for it here."
Aloisi is well aware of the challenge Australia face in their first taste of the Asian qualifying route after switching from the Oceania Football Confederation, but admits he is looking forward to the challenge.
"It's a tough group; a challenging one and I suppose this is the beauty of being in Asia," he added.
"We are going to play tough games and so if we do qualify, which we have to be confident of doing, we'll be better prepared for the World Cup.
"There will be big games that will be played in Australia, so there will be big crowds and it's a good test for everyone."
Australia will be looking to gain revenge against Iraq after the Socceroos suffered a 3-1 by the eventual champions the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup.
But Aloisi insists Australia's maiden continental experience in Asia will benefit the Socceroos in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
"I think we'll know what to expect this time round. We'll be more prepared," he added.
"I am sure this time we'll be more than capable of beating them. I am looking forward to that game and hopefully the rest of the boys are.
"We learned about the conditions; we've learned that no team is a pushover; we learned that they are very good on the ball. Technically most of the players are good, so we know what to expect this time.
"We know if we are playing at our best, we can beat any of the Asian sides and we know we have to be at our best and even the A-League-based squad I think can do a job against any of these sides playing at our best and I am sure that will be the case come the first game."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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