The Socceroos have qualified from this phase as the top side in the group, but the Saudis, Thais and Omanis are all in the mix to go through with them.

It’ll make for a tense final match day in the group with the Saudis desperate to go through under Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard.

But at least on paper, Australia can enjoy the night for what it is. But that’s not what Neill will be saying to his boys.

“They better come into it knowing it’s not a dead rubber,” said Neill on Friday. “That’s the first thing, there’s no such thing as a game that doesn’t count.

“Everybody has to be pushing for a start knowing that maybe another 10 guys that aren’t here that could come back in."

He warned: “There are 22, 23 spots and probably 50 to choose from. Like all the players, this could be their only chance. Show why you were picked in the first place and take that chance.

“Playing for Australia is the proudest thing you can do. It’s the pinnacle of your career, regardless of what people say, you’re only as good as what you show.”

With qualification in the bag, Neill sees these games as ideal preparatory for a big June.

A friendly against Denmark is followed by two vital World Cup qualifiers with a game away and one at home.

And Neill believed this group starting in June – which will see the top two sides qualify automatically from fourth round Asian qualifiers – will be tougher than last time.

“We’ve got to improve because we have to look at the bigger picture,” he added. “We’ve got to win [in June] to get us off to a great start on the way to Brazil, to qualify as quickly as possible.”

To underline his point, Neill cited the Olyroos failure to reach the Olympics as a warning that Australia simply cannot stand still.

“We can’t get complacent at whatever level. We’ve got to keep pushing the bar because everyone in the world keeps improving in football," he said.

“We can’t be any different. We’ve got to keep pushing. And when we get to a level we feel we’re at a good position, and then we go again.”

As for his club in the UAE Pro League, Neill said his side Al Jazira would need to win their last eight games to have any title chances.

Neill, who’s notched an impressive four goals, is disappointed with their league form, though he is adamant it’s been a good move for him.

“I’m in a good environment, I feel strong and I can control my training and how I feel every day of the week," he said.

“As long as come back and can still compete at a level for Australia, then I’ll consider it to be a very good season.”

On winning the UAE title, he said: “It’s achievable and it’s still exciting. We’re in two semi finals of both Cups and the Asian Champions League about to start with our first game on March 6 away in Uzbekistan.”

Quizzed on whether the pressure in the UAE was less than his previous leagues in England and Turkey and Neill was unequivocal.

“It’s still a results business. The press let you know too. It’s no different there and they don’t like losing,” he said.

But he added the lifestyle breeds players who can sometimes lack the hunger.

“The mentality is one of the biggest things you have to get over," he said. “They are brought up being given so much. An amazing lifestyle but what comes with that is a bit of too much complacency and maybe a lack of fight, because everything’s handed to them on a plate.

“As a result, you’ve really got to push them to fight that extra five or 10 per cent. That can be frustrating sometimes but they are definitely winners. They all want to win."

Neill spoke at the launch of MRSoccer, a junior academy in Sydney where he is now a co-owner of the business alongside former professional Mark Robertson.

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