Australian midfielder Luke Wilkshire expects a stern test from Denmark on Saturday as the Qantas Socceroos amp up their preparations for the final stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Australian midfielder Luke Wilkshire expects a stern test from Denmark on Saturday as the Qantas Socceroos amp up their preparations for the final stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying.
National coach Holger Osieck has not been able to train the Australian squad since their most recent game, a 4-2 victory over Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park in February.
He will have a small window to assess his players when they take on Denmark in a friendly in Copenhagen, ahead of the Danes' appearance at Euro 2012.
That match will be Australia's only friendly before their first game in the final stage of AFC 2014 World Cup qualifying, an away clash against Oman in Muscat (June 8), followed by an equally tough assignment against Japan in Brisbane (June 12).
When the Qantas Socceroos won their way through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they started the final stage of qualification with a 4-0 belting of Qatar which set the tone for the round, and they went on to advance with a game to spare.
According to Wilkshire, the Socceroos players are looking to replicate that fast start this time around.
"It's very important that we get off to a good start and the results are what counts," he said.
"(Oman is) definitely going to be a tough game.
"We know the conditions are going to be difficult. I mean they showed us last time when they managed to put one over us last time around.
"It's the start of this next group for us, it's going to be a massive game. They're at home so it's going to be very difficult but we need to get a result.
"Ourselves and Japan are the two favourites to go through the group, it's going to be difficult, that game is definitely going to be a tough one."
In other Qantas Socceroo news, forward Richard Garcia will be on the lookout for a new club after he was officially released by Championship side Hull City.
"I'm looking everywhere and keeping my options open," Garcia told the Mail.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens towards the end of the summer but I'm looking to that new challenge.
"I've been in England now for 15 years and although I'm not ruling out staying here, it's not one of my high priorities.
"I'm looking further afield for a new adventure, maybe in a new league to freshen it up a bit.
"I'm 30 so I've got a good few years left but I want to experience as many things as I can in my career."
Interest has emerged for Garcia's services from Europe and the Middle East, along with Australia, where there are rumours he could be poised to return to his native Perth to play for the Glory in the A-League.