SOCCEROOS skipper Lucas Neill insists New Zealand have Australia's full respect ahead of tomorrow night's clash and doesn't expect the visitors to feel as though they are underdogs.
Neill and New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen joined Pim Verbeek and Ricki Herbert for a pre-match press conference in Melbourne on Sunday lunchtime and the home team are expecting a tough test.
"We rate New Zealand highly as footballers," Neill told AAP.
"You've got to give them credit for being one of the last of the 32 teams to make the World Cup.
"They certainly won't think they are going into any game as underdogs, I think they'll be there on merit, similar to us, so we'll just take this game for what it is."
Australia will be without goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for the clash along with Harry Kewell.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2005.
Related Articles
Matildas 'have parked' 7-0 thrashing: 'We're one of the best pressing teams in the world'
Socceroos coach says Argentina can only 'play two ways'
