Depending on the result of Saudi Arabia's game against Japan, the Socceroos will need a superior goal difference to go through which means goals and plenty of them may be vital. 

It's not ideal, but it's also not a terrible scenario – and could be th perfect showcase for former A-League goal machine Jamie Maclaren, now plying his trade in Germany and keen to earn his stripes in the national team.

The two-time Australian Young Player of the Year, and last year's joint A-League Golden Boot winner, has an undeniable instinct for goal that was first indentified by his father.

"I started as a defender and my dad said I had the instincts of going forward so we'll move you forward...and he turned me into a striker," Maclaren told FourFourTwo.

"He bought me a full size goal at home and since then I've just always loved hitting the back of the net.

His recent move to Germany to join SV Darmstadt 98 has seen him adapt to a different style from what he was used to at Brisbane Roar.

"I'll be playing off a big striker which suits me," he added. "When I was younger, I used to watch Michael Owen.

"I've never been blessed with height, but I've been able to use my speed on some occasions." 

With physical striking options such as Tomi Juric and Tim Cahill, adapting to his new role at club level may bare fruit for Maclaren and the national team if he is indeed called upon.

After FourFourTwo rallied off a list of attributes that made him so successful in the Hyundai A-League, his own self-assessment was far more concise and indicative of a successful striker.

He said simply: "My main attribute is hitting the back of the net."