The qualification path began back in February 2008 and involved 14 matches in seven countries. It was Australia's first-ever qualification path through Asia and Holman feels that the arduous campaign resulted in a great bond between the group.

"Asia has helped fantastically. You can't have 23 good mates, but we get along well. The atmosphere at lunch and dinner and in the dressing room, it's always a happy atmosphere," he said.

"I think its important going into such a big tournament that you don't have any problems. You can see that the boys always help each other out. If anybody is in need then, someone is always putting their hand up to help out."

With Pim Verbeek set to make a decision on his final 23-man squad on June 1, Holman is desperate to press his claims for a spot in the squad. He feels if he can make the cut, then he can start to push for consideration for first-team selection.

"I'll be ecstatic if I just make the 23. Once I hear that, then you never know what will happen. Stranger things have happened. You saw with Luke Wilkshire four years ago, he was a dark horse and how fantastically he has progressed to now," he said.

"I'd like to think to myself, if I get a chance, I can fill in a role and show something that the Australian fans haven't seen."

His reference to the Australian fans is an indication of his 'whipping boy' status among some fans, including a Facebook page which questions why he is in the national set-up at all.

Holman said that sort of thing doesn't concern him greatly and said he is in the national team to fill a role.

"You always know what you do bad and do well, if you have a bad game or miss an easy chance, you know it yourself. You go back to work and you try to improve on those things," he said.

"I think you are there as an attacking sort of player anyway so you still have to pop in and score goals. On the other hand, some people don't score goals, it's not as if I'm a regular goalscorer for Australia, I think I've only scored once," he said.

"If I looked over the qualifying phase, then a lot of the times I did come on were for 15 or 10 minutes max, it's a difficult thing to come on and try and make an impact and do things. It's difficult, but you have to make the most of it and do what you can."

Holman said those who say he can't score goals have clearly not taken into account his performances at club level.

"If you look at club level, I've always scored with most of the teams that I've played in, it's not a problem or a factor I have issues with," he said.

And he sees himself as particularly useful to Verbeek given that he has an intrinsic understanding of the Dutch method of football.

"I think the fact I know the system and maybe the way Dutch coaches think. I've been there for eight years now, I think you get a certain amount of knowledge and you see a lot more. You see a lot of the Holland style. I think it's a positive," he added.