Neill confident Australia can respond

16 August 2012 09:31

Australia captain Lucas Neill says his team face a tough road to qualify for the 2014 World Cup but feels they are up for the challenge.

Australia are in third place in Asian qualifying Group B, having begun their campaign with draws against Oman and Japan.

Next up for the Socceroos, who are fresh from a 3-1 friendly loss to Scotland, is another friendly with Lebanon in Beirut on September 6 before they are back in World Cup qualification mode against Jordan in Amman five days later.

After Jordan, Australia have an away fixture against Iraq and Neill highlighted the importance of getting as many points as possible away from home.

"We have to do it the hard way, a lot of games on the road, which is why if we can take maximum points and good points, then it'll make that job a little bit easier once we get home," Neill said.

"The pressure will always be on until we get the job done but I think these guys are physically and mentally ready for it, we're prepared for the job and now it's about executing the game plan."

Three of the Socceroos' last four qualifiers are at home next year and if things are not going to plan heading into the first of those matches on March 26 against Oman at ANZ Stadium, Neill is confident playing in Australia will greatly assist their quest for a third successive World Cup appearance.

"If you look back to the Japan game (in June which ended 1-1), it always gives you that extra bit of emphasis when you're playing at home, it gives you a little bit of an advantage and it inspires you to want to perform and perform well," Neill said.

"If need be we hope that we finish strongly, particularly in front of our home crowd, and make sure we do the job and achieve the goal that everyone is dreaming of and that is to be in Brazil in 2014."

Neill became just the second player to captain the Socceroos 50 times on Wednesday against the Scots and said the achievement made him 'very proud'.

"It's a special night for me," Neill said.

"A lot of great memories in those 50 games as captain and obviously the caps before that as well.

"I've had a lot of good support, some great players to play with through those times and some stunning results and good performances on the way too."

But as nice as the milestone is, the 34-year-old is not allowing himself to dwell on it for too long, with his focus now on making it to another World Cup in two years' time.

"I'm not done yet," Neill said.

"As a captain I want to get to a third World Cup, get Australia to its third World Cup so that's my focus now.

"Although this is a fantastic milestone, I'm not trying to be blase, (but) there's a bigger job to do."