To see today's training session...

"There's no doubt about it, the fans can become our 12th man and we'd encourage them to come and see a virtual full-strength Socceroos in a very important FIFA World Cup qualifier," FFA CEO Ben Buckley told  au.fourfourtwo.com.

 

With rain periods predicted at some time on Wednesday and a maximum temperature of 23 degrees, the conditions should be close to perfect.

The hope is that the attendance can reach the 60,000 mark or even more if the rain stays away for the 8pm kick off.

And with Uzbekistan reinvigorating its campaign with a 4-0 win on Saturday night against a hapless Qatar, the game could well be a lot more even than some predict.

"The fans are so important to the Socceroos, we can't emphasise that enough," added Buckley.

Last time the Socceroos played at ANZ stadium was against China in the previous phase of World Cup qualifiers where 70,000 fans turned out for a dead rubber.

Meanwhile, Socceroo keeper Mark Schwarzer has played down his stellar role in this final phase of World Cup qualifiers.

Schwarzer has arguably been the Socceroos' best player in this phase of qualifiers with outstanding performances in Yokohama and Manama in particular.

It's put the spotlight firmly on his importance to the national team and the worry some have when he does finally give the game up.

Without his contribution, Australia could potentially be in a much less advantageous position in the group with four games to go.

But the former Marconi and Middlesbrough custodian says he'd prefer to go unnoticed throughout the campaign.

"I'd rather we didn't have a shot on [our] goal but it's inevitable there are games you'll be called upon more so than others."

In front of Schwarzer tomorrow night will be a rookie partnering Lucas Neill with regular stopper Craig Moore out injured. Michael Beauchamp, Chris Coyne and Jade North are all in the frame. Schwarzer says either can do the job.

"Chris has done a great job when called upon as has Michael and Jade. We've got quite a few options so we're not concerned there.

"We've said from day one Uzbekistan is a dangerous side and a side that has underperformed up until [last] Saturday.

"If we win it in the 93rd minute like we did in Bahrain people may write bad things about it but in two months' time no-one's really going to care."

To see today's training session...