North sets sights on World Cup berth

Jade North believes the Qantas Socceroos are suitably prepared for whatever comes their way, when they will face an unfamiliar foe at the King Abdullah International Stadium.

Jade North believes the Qantas Socceroos are suitably prepared for whatever comes their way, when they will face an unfamiliar foe at the King Abdullah International Stadium.

Australia will begin a new chapter of its football history against Jordan, with the two nations set for their first meeting at senior international level.

Though Jordan are currently ranked, according to FIFA-s World Rankings, some sixty places below the Qantas Socceroos, their recent successes over regional heavyweights Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan paints a picture of the challenge that awaits.

“It-s going to be a tough game, we-re playing them in their own backyard so, we-ve done our homework, we-ve been training hard, we know what to expect,” North said.

“We-ve played a number of teams from the Middle East now so we know what we-re up against.

“It-s all about turning up on the day and putting in a good performance.”

North-s absence from Australia-s starting side against Scotland and Lebanon recently has been an exception rather than the rule, with the 30-year-old featuring in many of the Qantas Socceroos- key matches of recent months.

Indeed, Australia-s last three FIFA World Cup qualifiers have featured North from the opening whistle and going back to the campaign to qualify for South Africa in 2010, North was integral to several key victories.

Despite amassing 39 caps for the Qantas Socceroos since his debut in 2002, North didn-t earn a call up to Australia-s FIFA World Cup tilts in 2006 or 2010.

The lure of finally appearing on world football-s grandest stage remains a key motivator for the Consadole Sapporo defender, who is enjoying his most consistent run of domestic form yet in Japan-s J.League.

“Obviously the team comes first and helping the team qualify for the World Cup and if anything happens after that it-d be an absolute bonus,” North said.

“For me, it-d be a great way, in the later stage of my career, to sign off with the national team in a good way like that.

“First things first, we-ve got to qualify for the World Cup and we-ve got to take each game as it comes.

“The boys are focused, we-ve had a good win (against Lebanon), so we-re up for the challenge.”

The Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.

Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.