Australia can book its place in Russia next year with wins over Japan and Thailand in the next fortnight. A draw and a victory may even be enough for the Socceroos to secure a spot at its fourth World Cup in a row.

This year the Socceroos have been under the microscope over their three-man backline which was introduced earlier this year.

Culina, who played 58 times for the national team, believes securing wins in the next two matches should be the only focus.

"We need to win them," he told FourFourTwo.

"You win whichever way you can. I remember when I was involved with the Socceroos we'd win games 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, they were all very close games. At the end of the day whether you win 1-0 or 10-0, it's still only worth three points.

"Goal difference may come into it but at the end of the day it's about picking up points and if we can pick up maxium points from now to the end of qualifying when you can almost rest assured we'll qualify for the World Cup.

"There's always danger at international level, no game is easy. The worst thing you can do is underestimate any team.

"Whether you play attractive football, or a type of football where you say we have to go in to win, that's where Australia is and the Socceroos are at the moment - they just have to play to win games. And winning games is what's going to get them back on track.

"Not that they've strayed too far away from where they need to be, but most certainly winning games instills confidence back into the team and belief back into the nation.

"At the end of the day the goal is to make the World Cup, regardless whether we play beautiful football and do it, or if we play average football but still win games."

Culina was part of the 'Golden Generation' and played for Australia in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. He also captained the Socceroos in 2010 in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia.

The 37-year old believes Australia still has the players to qualify for the tournament and bring success to the national team.

"It's been a big talking point over a number of years now about where are the Socceroos, where are they heading," he said.

"In terms of where our players are, there's been a lot of talk about our players no longer playing at the very highest level in Europe. But in saying that we've still got some good, quality players, players who are now starting to play at a high level.

"So there's no saying the Socceroos shouldn't be achieving because they should be, because our players are now playing in the bigger leagues like they used to.

"We have some big names and these players need to be stepping up when it counts most, and now is when it comes most."

Culina, who retired in 2013, was recently appointed head coach of Sydney United 58 FC. He said the Socceroos are in a "very good position" to make the tournament in Russia in 2018.

"We've put ourselves in a very good position to continue to do, continue to make World Cups and that's what our game needs," he said.

"The Socceroos are our pinnacle, they are the pinnacle of Australian football and they're the team that everybody looks up to. They're the players that every kid admires and aspires to be like.

"It's important they do do well because if football in Australia want to continue to be what is and become what it should be, then the Socceroos play a massive part in doing that."