The Joeys qualified for the round of 16 despite finishing third in Group F, won by Brazil, while Uzbekistan topped Group D, which also featured the US, New Zealand and the Czech Republic.

Australia will face Uzbekistan in Torreon, where the Uzbeks played all three of their group games in significant heat. 

The last time the two sides clashed, Uzbekistan kicked the Joeys out at the semi final stage of the U17s AFC Championship.

And Versleijen admitted he expects the Uzbeks to feel at home with the people of Torreon behind them.

"We haven't spent much time here (Torreon) but one thing for sure that we noticed were the hot conditions compared to the other places we have played in before coming here," he said.

"That for us is an additional challenge compared to Uzbekistan who have been here since the start of the tournament."

The Joeys go into the game undermanned, with midfield duo Jesse Makarounas (hamstring) and Yianni Perkatis (suspension) unavailable.

Makarounas has been troubled by the hamstring complaint since Australia's 1-0 loss to Brazil, and it is unknown how long that injury will keep him out for.

"There are things you can't change, and with the things you cannot change, you should not try to waste too much energy on them but rather try to focus on the football side," Versleijen said.

"All of our concentration and all of our energy will be on the game and we'll forget about all of the other things.

"With the circumstances we have had, we have done as well as we possibly can and that's something we're also going to do in tomorrow's game."

The winner of the Joeys' game will face either Congo or Uruguay in the quarter final on Sunday.