In Germany, under the cunning management of Guus Hiddink, the Socceroos defied expectation as they qualified from a group containing Brazil, before a hotly-disputed last-minute penalty saw them bow out to eventual champions Italy.

It left Australia fans feeling aggrieved yet proud of their team's performance in what was their first finals appearance in 32 years.

It also raised expectations that the Socceroos should at least reach the knockout phase again in South Africa, even if the underlying fear in the Antipodes is that the current team is not good enough to do so.

There is no doubt Australia face a tough challenge to get out of one of the hardest groups at this summer's finals alongside Germany, Serbia and Ghana.

Germany are three-time champions, Serbia ensured direct qualification ahead of France while Ghana are expected to be suited to playing on their own continent after also reaching the final of the African Nations Cup earlier this year.

The Socceroos were, however, fairly impressive in their first ever qualification through the Asian confederation.

Under coach Pim Verbeek, who leaves his post after the finals, they booked their place in South Africa with two games to spare while they conceded just once in their final qualification group.

Ever-reliable goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer underlined his credentials as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world while the canny finishing of Tim Cahill ensured their goal threat was always constant if not menacing.

But despite all of that, Verbeek has been routinely criticised for his results-over-style philosophy.

The Dutchman prefers a cautious 4-2-3-1 formation which has not always sat well with the perhaps slightly idealistic, new breed of football fans Down Under who want to see their side play with greater panache.

Verbeek, who has proved himself as stubborn as he is dour, has largely ignored calls for change with a side that is probably more notable for its physicality rather than its technical ability.

Certainly Verbeek's results vindicate his approach with qualification to the World Cup finals as well as next year's Asian Cup finals sealed. The Socceroos also reached their highest FIFA ranking last September, when they climbed to 14th after a 3-0 success away to the Republic of Ireland.

The criticism has, however, served to irritate some of the Australia players, with Harry Kewell making a rallying call for a united front ahead of the World Cup.

"People should be backing Australia and giving us credit and building us up," the 31-year-old Galatasaray forward said.

"Some seem to want us to fail. We're trying our best to make the nation proud. If critics don't want to support us then don't bother watching us. Just forget about us.

"We want people to back us, not bag us."

The critics, however, are far from being convinced, with Verbeek's reliance on an ageing group of players such as Kewell seen as a another major weakness.

The likes of Kewell, Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Craig Moore, Cahill and Schwarzer led the Socceroos in Germany and will again spearhead the team's charge.

All of them, save Cahill, are in their 30s and the fear is that while Verbeek's troops have four years more experience they are also four years slower.

"In 2006 we had a good side, now we have a team in transition but we still have a point to prove," added Kewell, who has had an injury-interrupted build-up after undergoing groin surgery earlier this year.

"We have young players coming through, we have belief, and organisation, lots of experience and we're physical. It's ridiculous to write us off."

Certainly there is reason to believe the Socceroos can again reach the knockout phase.

If Verbeek's tactics have not always earned glowing praise they have certainly added a resolute edge to his team that could be invaluable in the World Cup format.

Away 1-0 victories in the inhospitable environments of Uzbekistan and Bahrain during qualifying, when on both occasions his team were outplayed, proved the Socceroos have a capacity to get a result when they are not at their best.

With Schwarzer also in arguably career-best form between the posts, having helped Fulham to an historic first European final this season, the defence looks solid even if pace looks a problem with Neill and probably the 34-year-old Moore, who is without a club, set to be partnered at the back.

Up front the Socceroos don't have a striker to overly concern their rivals with Middlesbrough'sScott McDonald failing to to score in his first 15 appearances for his country.

But Verbeek has been able to fashion a threatening front line with beanpole striker Josh Kennedy a target man for the likes of Cahill, Kewell, Mark Bresciano and Emerton to feed off in advanced midfield roles.

Whether that is enough of a threat to lift the Socceroos out of the group is problematic, but should they do so the likely prize is a second-round meeting with England - a match every Australian craves.