BLACKBURN Rovers' Australian midfielder Brett Emerton is backing his Socceroo team-mates to make a major impact at the World Cup finals next month.
The former Feyenoord star is relishing the chance to play on the greatest stage in world football, and, although the Aussies have been drawn in a tough group that contains tournament favourites Brazil, Emerton believes they are more than capable of springing a few surprises in Germany.
Asked if he's dreamed of going far in the competition, the 27-year-old replied emphatically: "Yes. Definitely.
"Obviously, we are not favourites, but we have a good, strong squad and I believe we can be a match for anyone on our day.
"I have dreams and beliefs that we can go there and do great things.
"If we got a good result against Brazil in the group stages (then who knows).
"They excite us, not intimidate us. They are the best team in the world at the moment and we have got nothing to lose.
"We should be excited to go out there and play against them."
Emerton has every right to be upbeat about the Aussies' chances, given that manager Guus Hiddink can call on a number of Premiership-based players including Middlesbrough duo Mark Viduka and Mark Schwarzer, Everton's Tim Cahill and Liverpool winger Harry Kewell.
In Hiddink, the Australian's also boast a manager with a proven track record at club and international level.
At the last World Cup in Japan and Korea, the Dutchman further enhanced his reputation by leading co-hosts South Korea to the semi-finals, eliminating Italy en route.
Now Emerton and his team-mates are hoping the former Real Madrid coach can work similar magic again as they aim to qualify from a group that also contains Croatia and Japan, as well as the awesome Brazilians.
Australia hardly covered themselves in glory when they last appeared at the finals in 1974; on that occasion they failed to score a single goal in group games against East and West Germany and Chile.
This time, however, they are determined to give the Australian public a performance to be proud of, and they will step up their preparations with a friendly against Greece, the European champions, at the MCG in Sydney tomorrow night.
"They are a great team, they are European champions and I think they are going to be a great test for us," said Emerton, who, together with Blackburn team-mate Lucas Neill, is expected to start against the Greeks.
In the meantime, Emerton knows he needs to perform well at the World Cup to boost his chances of forcing his way back into the Blackburn team.
As far as Emerton is concerned, he still intends to see out the remaining year of his contract.
He added: "After the World Cup, I have got one more year remaining on my Blackburn contract so I'm looking forward to going back to Ewood Park next season.
"But after that, who knows where I will be?"
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