To see the Olyroos on the beach at Terrigal today...

A surge in ticket sales in the last 24 hours has seen over 10,000 tickets pre-sold as of Thursday for this vital group match at Gosford's Bluetongue stadium.

If the weather remains sunny, it looms as the biggest crowd this season at the Mariners home stadium.

With pre-sales expected to hit 12,000 by Saturday and a strong walk-up tradition on the Central Coast, locals are predicting a bumper turnout from Aussie fans on the coast and beyond.

Iraqi supporter are expected to number 2000, and as was seen in the 2005 friendly against the Socceroos in Sydney, the Asian Cup champions fans' are a boisterous lot.

Olyroo striker Mark Bridge has issued a plea to all fans in NSW to support the Olyroos in this important encounter.

“We've all come together to play for Australia so I really hope the fans of the Jets, Mariners and Sydney can come together on Saturday night and support their country,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com this morning.

“Just playing for the Jets, the fans can be like the 12th man in the final 20 minutes when you need a lift and bring you home. That's what we're hoping for Saturday night – a lot of Aussie fans to help us get the result we need.”

Asked whether this was the most important game in his career and Bridge was unequivical: “For sure. To qualify for the Olympics – the biggest competition in the world after the World Cup. I can't think of any games I've played in that are any bigger than this.”

Bridge, who turned 22 last week, says the Iraqis are not to be underestimated: “They have a few players from their Asian Cup squad and although I didn't get to play against them last time in the group stages, from what I've seen from videos, they've got some defenders who can really play.”

The Aussies had a light beach session this morning on Terrigal beach – joined by local celebrity John Aloisi – followed by a video analysis session in the afternoon.

The Iraqis trained yesterday in Sydney before arriving on the Central Coast. According to sources, the Iraqis lined up at training with a three-man defence despite regularly playing a four-man back line in their group stage matches.

Olyroo defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, is expected to be fit for Saturday night's game.

To see the Olyroos on the beach at Terrigal today...