The Socceroos made the ideal start to their World Cup Group One qualifying campaign yesterday with a 3-0 defeat of Qatar in what was new coach Pim Verbeek's first game in charge.

Neill captained his side to victory and stressed after the match he will be available for Australia's next game against China in Kunming on March 26.

The clash is sandwiched between Barclays Premier League away games at Everton and Sunderland, and Hammers boss Alan Curbishley may put pressure on Neill to remain in England.

But Neill believes he will be able to strike the balance between giving his best for West Ham and Australia.

He said: "People say, 'why would you want to go and play for Australia in the middle of two English Premier League games?' It's because I'm playing for Australia and I want to go to the World Cup.

"It's an honour and a privilege and I'm sure there are millions and millions who would want to be doing what we are doing and I'm not taking it for granted.

"Now I switch my focus and concentrate on the next Premier League game for West Ham and getting them into Europe.

"If it was him, (Curbishley) going to represent England, he wouldn't have an argument and that's the only case we have to put forward to him."

First-half strikes from Joshua Kennedy, Everton's Tim Cahill and Marco Bresciano at the Telstra Dome handed the Socceroos a win which put them top of Group One in the Asian qualifying zone.

Australia coach Verbeek also confirmed Newcastle striker Mark Viduka is still part of his long-term plans and revealed he will travel to England to discuss the striker's future.

Viduka has hinted at retiring from international football since Australia's AFC Asian Cup campaign, but Verbeek is keen to persuade the player to remain part of his World Cup qualifying squad.

"Mark is always on the list," Verbeek said.

"I would prefer to have five strikers to choose from and it's always better that players have a headache over fighting for their position than coaches having a headache (because of a lack of selection options).

"There are 13 games to go and when I have the time I will definitely go to visit him and also some of the other players I haven't seen yet.

"But, as a coach, I will always try to get him in the squad."