The former international striker believes qualification is another massive step forward for football in this country and he can only see the game's popularity mushrooming from this point - from junior football through to the A-League.  

Despite the plethora of clean sheets secured along the way to South Africa some critics have bemoaned what they view as a substance over style approach.  

Mitchell is not in that camp. He points to the primary role of a football boss - winning.  

The Glory boss took in the NSW Premier League clash between Sydney Tigers and Penrith Nepean United at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com at the famous old ground he said: "We've qualified for two World Cups in a row, a terrific result. I think the game is just going to grow and grow. People will stand up and take notice (of football).  

"I think Pim's done a fantastic job. Why are people criticising him? The most important thing as a football manager is that you win games.

"The next thing is you want to play well but you can't play well all the time. Look, we're there and we haven't been beaten. 

"It's ridiculous (the criticism). You look back at all the years where we (the Socceroos) have played really well and just fallen at the final hurdle. Even the Iran game (for qualification for the 1998 World Cup), we played them off the park and then people say why weren't we defensive in that game?"  

Mitchell hopes the remaining group games against Bahrain and Japan will be a chance for supporters to celebrate. "I'm sure everyone will enjoy it and maybe Pim will try a few things."  

While thrilled to see his country going to another World Cup, Mitchell is firmly focused on building his Perth Glory squad for the new A-League season. He already has one Socceroo on board in Jacob Burns and hasn't given up on securing another one in Mile Sterjovski.  

He said: "We've got Jacob Burns, Andy Todd and Branko Jelic. We're looking to fill another couple of positions. Sterjovski? That one's ongoing as well. There's other players. Emile Mpenza, the Belgian international, we've been discussing things with. We're working towards it and hopefully it'll fall the right way for us."  

The Glory boss isn't just looking at former internationals though. "While I'm here this week (in Sydney) I'm taking an interest in some state league games," he said.   Mitchell left the Sydney Tigers clash at half-time in order to head off for the second half of Sydney Olympic's clash.

In his absence, the Tigers crashed to a last-gasp defeat with Penrith's Greg Kondek grabbing the only goal of the game in stoppage-time.