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

“I think we're strong defensively – in fact, I think we do have the best defence in our group,” Williams said after a light beach training session in Terrigal.

“Our midfield is quality and I think if we concentrate in the final third, we might not get many chances so we need to bury them when we do.

“I'm confident and I believe the boys can do.”

Williams echoes what many players are feeling about this fixture between the two strongest teams in the group.

“It's the most important game the Olyroos have played so far," he said. "If we lose this then we can pretty much say we haven't qualified.

But if we win it we've still got another 90 minutes to make it to the Olympics.

“Iraq is a strong team. Defensively they're strong and they have some good players in the midfield and some good individuals.”

Only the top team in the group progress. Williams, who has broken through into the first team at Danish powerhouse Brondby, concedes this is a pressure game.

“It does give us some pressure but its just another big game and we've played big games before,” he said.

The equation is simple: if the Olyroos win, they are almost guaranteed a spot in Beijing. And he adds the Iraqis - who arrived in Sydney on Wednesday - will be just as desperate.

“They've got everything to play for," he added. "They don't have such a good country and to get out of the country and try to win a spot in the Olympics is important.

“In Australia, it's a great country but the hunger is still there. It would be one of the best things ever for us."

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