Socceroos still confident says Cahill

Despite missing stars Vinnie Grella, Mark Bresciano and most likely Harry Kewell through injury, Australia remains confident of securing a result in the Socceroos' key World Cup qualifier against Qatar next week.

Despite missing stars Vinnie Grella, Mark Bresciano and most likely Harry Kewell through injury, Australia remains confident of securing a result in the Socceroos' key World Cup qualifier against Qatar next week.

While Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer recognised that victory at Brisbane Stadium next Wednesday night would be no easy feat, the star-duo were backing their teammates to get the job done.

Everton midfielder Cahill, who will make his return to international football after a six month lay-off with a foot injury, remained self-assured despite the recent injury-enforced changes to the Socceroos squad.

"I'm pretty confident, I feel like we've got a great squad, it's unfortunate that a few of the lads got injured, but…we've got some players that can step up and step in," he said while speaking at a Socceroos luncheon on Thursday.

"We've got a great record against Qatar."

"The only thing that can beat us is ourselves and we need to go out there and make sure we break down every barrier that is thrown at us."

Cahill said he would be hungry for a goal on Saturday night but expected the visitors to adopt an ultra defensive approach.

"They're probably going to put about 10 or 11 players behind the ball and make it difficult for us."

Schwarzer admitted he was a little surprised Qatar advanced to the final round of qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

The Qataris lost 3-0 and 3-1 when the two sides met in the last round of qualification, but Schwarzer maintained these results were now meaningless.

"That was the last group stage, this is a totally new stage and everyone starts from scratch," he said.

"They're going to be thinking that they lost their first two games against us, however they know that they've got two more games against us and that they've got every chance to get a result."

Qatar now sits on top of Group A with four points from their two games, but Schwarzer was sure the Socceroos are poised to continue their winning run after last month's 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

"We believe in our own ability, we believe that we're good enough, and obviously take confidence in knowing that we've played them twice and beaten them both times."

"We believe that we will get the points that we need to get to the next stage and that means winning the games."