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We are going to Brazil to shock the world: Bresciano

He produced one of the greatest moments in Australian football history, now Mark Bresciano wants to shock the world with another in Brazil.

The veteran Socceroo flew out for his third World Cup on Wednesday amid much fanfare at Sydney Airport.

But it almost didn’t happen for the 34-year-old, who admitted he seriously doubted if he would even be on the plane.

With few of Australia’s ‘golden generation’ left in the squad, Bresciano thought he might get swept up in coach Ange Postecoglou’s clean out – especially after copping an untimely four-month ban over an illegal transfer between clubs in the Middle East.

“I think every player was in doubt at that time, not knowing what decision the coach would make,” he said.

“I think we’re all very grateful to be here and, for myself, have another opportunity to play in a World Cup. I’m just as excited as I was in 2006, so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully do Australia proud.”0

It was Bresciano’s golden goal against Uruguay in 2005 (see the video below) that helped get him and the Socceroos a ticket to the World Cup in Germany, and the creative midfielder reckons he’s got more magic moments in him.

“That’s the main reason why we’re going there. I guess the expectation is maybe a little bit high, because in the last nine or 10 years we’ve been very successful as a nation,” he said.

“Saying that, we know that we are going to Brazil in a very tough group but we’re going to go there and just try and do our country proud and do ourselves proud and try and shock the world.”

While the Socceroos face the attacking might of the world champions Spain, 2010 finalists the Netherlands and Chile, “parking the bus” was not an option in Brazil.

“I think if we are going to have any chance to get a result, we have to attack and try and hurt them,” Bresciano said.

Newcomer Ben Halloran is ready to put up a fight, both for country and himself as he chases a spot in the final 23-man squad to be named on June 2.

The 21-year-old survived the cut to join the travelling party after making his senior Socceroos debut off the bench in Monday night’s 1-1 friendly draw with South Africa.

“It’s all pretty surreal at the moment,” Halloran said. “I’m just trying to keep quite grounded and just focus on training, because I still have to be selected in the 23.”

With Australia the worst-ranked nation in the tournament, they are unsurprisingly at long odds – upwards of $750 – to win the title.

Asked whether they were a worthy investment, Bresciano quipped: “You could put a dollar on it.”

The team face Croatia in a warm-up on June 6 ahead of their World Cup opener against Chile a week later.

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