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Defender Luke Wilkshire said the Socceroos will take a single-minded approach into their next World Cup qualifier against Iraq at Suncorp Stadium on June 1.
Iraq stunned Australia in the group stage of last year’s Asian Cup, recording a 3-1 victory in Bangkok.
But Wilkshire said the Socceroos’ motivation in next month’s rematch in Brisbane was not about settling a score with the Iraqis.
“Obviously the players are aware of what happened in the past as Iraq would be but it’s a different game, a year down the line, it’s going to be on our home turf,” Wilkshire said.
“It’s not a case of getting revenge, we just want to win the game and get through the group.”
“We want to get through the group as soon as possible, that settles any nerves or doubts (about getting through to the next qualifying stage of the World Cup).”
Australia are on top their group after a 3-0 win over Qatar at Telstra Dome in February and a meritorious nil-all draw with China at altitude in Kunming the following month.
Iraq are desperate for a win, after scoring just one point from games against China and Qatar.
The two sides will face off in back-to-back qualifiers within a week in early June, the first in Brisbane, the second in Dubai.
Australia will then play a further two qualifiers against China and Qatar in June.
They tune-up with a friendly against Ghana in Sydney on May 23.
Wilkshire, who is currently part of Dutch club FC Twente’s bid to secure a spot in the Champions League, said he had no hassles with the massive workload.
“It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a free summer but that’s part and parcel of playing international football,” Wilkshire said.
“It’s exciting times coming up with the national team, as well as my club here so when you’ve got something to aim for, it keeps you going.”
But Wilkshire also accepted overseas Australian players had to be mentally tough to be able to cope with the workload.
“That’s one thing for sure that our national team has – the players in the team – is that mental strength.
“That willingness to come across the other side of the world to play a game for our country and to back up doing it whenever is necessary.”
Wilkshire, 26, is now regarded as one of Australia’s first choice starters in defence.
He said the technical aspects of his game have improved, particularly his ability to read the game, after being exposed to a high standard of soccer in the Netherlands on a weekly basis over the past two years.
And he is confident FC Twente can upset the bigger Dutch clubs Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord Rotterdam, to book a place in the Champions League.
FC Twente plays Ajax in two playoff finals for the prized spot.
“Head to head against them, we drew 2-2 then we beat them at home 2-1,” Wilkshire said
“We’ve actually got a good record against them.
“We’re in good form – in the last 10 games we’ve won nine and drawn one – so we’ll go into the game confident but it’s two games of soccer so anything can happen.”
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