Mark Schwarzer knows what it takes to qualify for a FIFA World Cup and has warned the hard work has only just begun for the Qantas Socceroos as they sharpen their focus towards Brazil in 2014.
Mark Schwarzer knows what it takes to qualify for a FIFA World Cup and has warned the hard work has only just begun for the Qantas Socceroos as they sharpen their focus towards Brazil in 2014.
The most capped Qantas Socceroo of all-time, Schwarzer played in all but one of Australia-s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers - taking in challenges away to Bahrain, China, Iraq, Japan, Qatar and Uzbekistan.
In addition to trips to Oman, Saudi Arabia and Thailand already this campaign, there isn-t much of Asia that Schwarzer hasn-t conquered.
But, far from being complacent, Schwarzer has suggested that, perhaps, the Qantas Socceroos- greatest challenges yet lie ahead.
“It all starts on Friday and it-s going to be a very tough beginning for us and it-s also going to be a very tough campaign,” said Schwarzer.
“It-s going to be very different to the last one, so we-re going to really have to get our heads down and make sure we do everything right from start to finish.
“It-d be huge (to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup), that-s why I-ve continued again, that-s why I believe that I-m still good enough to play at this highest level, I believe that we can qualify for another World Cup.
“To make it three World Cup-s in a row would be an unbelievable accomplishment and one that is very achievable.”
Schwarzer was in goal the last time Australia travelled to Oman.
On that occasion, Schwarzer was unable to prevent a 1-0 Omani win - a rare result during the 39-year-old-s very successful international career.
In 26 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches stretching back to 1994, Schwarzer has only tasted defeat on four occasions and has conceded just 13 goals in such time.
In order to add another clean sheet to that record, Schwarzer and his Qantas Socceroo teammates will need to be at their best against an Omani side also desperate to post its first points of this crucial qualification stage.
“They-ll be very tough, if you look at the last game we played against them, they played very well here at home and deserved to win the game 1-0,” said Schwarzer.
“On the other hand, we were very much below par, but taking nothing away from Oman, they deserved it.
“Friday is going to be an interesting game because it-s played at a different time of the year as well, where you-ve got the extreme heat conditions that we-re going to be playing in.
“It-s going to be a slightly different game again, it-s going to potentially even a tougher game than it was last time around, but we still think we-ll have the quality in our side to get the result we need.”
The Qantas Socceroos begin their final phase of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a clash against Oman in Muscat on Friday, 8 June. Kick off is at 5pm local time. (Kick off is at 11pm AEST) and beforehand Fox Sports will be showing the Japan v Jordan game.
Soon after, the Qantas Socceroos will host Japan in their first home fixture of the fourth stage of Asia-s FIFA World Cup qualification process on Tuesday, 12 June at Brisbane-s Suncorp Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm.
Tickets are still available click here or call 132 849.