John Aloisi pinpoints Socceroos’ key player and how they can win at FIFA Qatar World Cup

The time has finally come for the Socceroos – and don’t be surprised if they perform in Qatar on the world’s biggest stage.

Graham Arnold will have his playing group ready – and the great thing is, many are expecting to be cannon fodder against France first.

Their quality speaks for itself, led by the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, but Les Blues tend to be slow to enter World Cup tournaments.

Just ask Senegal, who beat them in 2002, where France were the reigning champions after hoisting the trophy on home soil four years earlier.

Football fans across Australia are hoping for history to repeat itself in the Middle East, and preparation will be key.

The advantage for the Socceroos is that the conditions are far from foreign.

John Aloisi’s penalty in the 2005 shootout victory over Uruguay will forever be one of Australia’s finest sporting moments

Now a grand final winning coach with Western United in the A-League, Aloisi said collective faith is key in the Middle East

Intense heat and air-conditioned stadiums are not the norm, and I’m tipping some European countries to struggle in the energy-guzzling conditions.

Our players are well aware of what to expect in Qatar, thanks to two qualifying victories over the UAE and Peru in June, as well as previous matches in Doha in recent years.

As for our opener on November 23, the chances will be limited and we will have to defend most of the 90 minutes.

We will be ahead of France and they are vulnerable in my view as Karim Benzema is below average and Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante have not been named due to injuries.

The pressure on them will also be huge, everyone expects them to win comfortably.

Bring it on!

Veteran midfielder Aaron Mooy looms as the key player for the Socceroos ahead of the World Cup

Rising star Garang Kuol is only 18 and has the world at his feet – and is tipped to play in Qatar

BEAUTIFUL MOY

It goes without saying that Aaron Mooy is the pivotal figure for the Socceroos.

His performance in June in those two qualifying wins I mentioned earlier was nothing short of sensational.

Despite not being match fit, he controlled the pace brilliantly and will be a calming influence in the middle of the park alongside Jackson Irvine.

Mooy has impressed with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League and his experience will be invaluable.

He is a player I have always loved watching and at 32 years old it will be his last World Cup so he will be desperate to show everyone how good he is.

KUOL’S TIME TO SHINE

What a few months it has been for Garang Kuol.

At 18, the world is at his feet and I expect Arnie to use him off the bench in group matches.

And why wouldn’t he?

Garang has shown in the A-League All Stars match against Barcelona and then New Zealand that the big podium doesn’t faze him.

He is raw – but also direct with an eye for purpose.

He has already signed for EPL club Newcastle United – where he will move to in January – and his potential is frightening.

He’s only going to get better and looms as a very handy option for Arnie when we’re hunting for a game.

Mark Schwarzer, John Aloisi and Tim Cahill celebrate Australia’s qualification for the 2006 World Cup

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

My advice to the Socceroos is this – don’t fear your opposition.

Before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Guus Hiddink got us so motivated that we thought we could beat anyone

As many fans will remember, we gave Italy quite a scare in the Round of 16, and they went on to win the tournament.

With players like Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, many would have been intimidated, but not us.

We really felt we could match them – and history shows we did.

MY URUGUAY MOMENT

It’s hard to believe that we beat Uruguay on penalties 17 years ago this week to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

Personally, I’m not one to go back on You Tube and watch the highlights to mark the occasion, I was lucky enough to live at Stadium Australia in Sydney on November 16, 2005.

The fact that people still stop me on the street and want to think about it makes me humble.

It was wonderful to end 32 years of heartache, and relief is the best way to describe it.

I can see what it meant to so many people, it was absolutely crazy when the ball hit the back of the net.

They are memories I will always cherish.

* John Aloisi is now a Grand Final winning coach at A-League club Western United and played in the 2006 World Cup and scored a goal against Japan.