Australia's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa features 14 of the 23 that were in Germany four years ago and most of those are the country's first-choice players.

If Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton are fit to play against Germany in Durban on Sunday, Australia could field 10 of the 11 who started in the opening game against Japan four years ago.

The average age of Pim Verbeek's preferred first-choice line-up is 31.9, making Australia one of the oldest starting line-ups at this year's World Cup.

But 34-year-old Chipperfield - who is Australia's third-oldest player behind goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and fellow defender Craig Moore - says the team's results throughout qualifying showed the older players were still doing the job.

"A lot has been said in the press (about the age of the team) but we don't worry too much about it," he said.

"All we have to do is impress (national coach) Pim (Verbeek) and get in the starting team and it's up to Pim to pick the starting XI, not the media.

"I think we have been playing well as a team - we have had the results and we qualified quite easy for the World Cup."

"Defensively we were well organised but the World Cup will be a lot tougher than what we had in the qualifiers so it's going to be a good test on Sunday (against Germany)."

Chipperfield said those criticising the make-up of the Socceroos' squad with its emphasis on the same players from four years ago should at least wait and see how the team performs at this World Cup before passing judgement.

"People say we are slower but we will find out on Sunday," he said. "Everyone is saying we are older and slower but I think all the questions will be answered after the group stage.

"If we qualify through the group stage and we play well then it's all good but if we don't then they will be saying 'too old, too slow'."

But personally Chipperfield says he feels nothing of the sort after a vintage season with Swiss club Basel where he was named player of the year for the second time and helped win the league and cup double.

"I am happy with the way I feel and the way I am playing so for me it doesn't worry me too much," he said of being one of the oldest players in the Socceroos' squad.

"The last part of the season at Basel I played as a striker and the first part I played as left back and it's been good to play different positions.

"I think that has helped with my longevity because if I had just specialised in the one position for my club then it would be hard to be playing week in, week out but at the moment I seem to be filling in where we are short through suspensions or injuries and I am really enjoying the variety of that role."

But Chipperfield admits that Kewell is the man to provide Australia's X factor in South Africa as he offers the squad something unique.

Kewell has missed all three warm up games but hopes are rising that he has won his battle with the groin injury that has hampered his preparations.

Pim Verbeek must now decide whether to throw the Galatasaray man in against Germany or go for Josh Kennedy.

"Harry is an important player for us," Chipperfield told SBS. "He is something different to what we have. He can create, he can beat players, he can score goals.

"Hopefully he can take part. I'm not sure if he is ready to start, he hasn't done much with the team."

Chipperfield is also confident that Tim Cahill be fit and ready for action against the Germans.

He added: "Tim will be fine. He just has a slight neck problem."