Cahill ready to attack

Cahill is set to start as the lone striker in Pim Verbeek's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation - a role he has filled admirably over the past two months with Everton, where he is now the club's joint top scorer. Goals have rarely been a problem for Cahill in a green-and-gold shirt - he has scored at a rate of a goal every two games since making his debut five years ago - and while this will be the first time he will line up at the sharp end, he's not fazed by the challenge.

"I'm up for it, definitely," he said yesterday. "Being a professional footballer means you have to adapt, and I feel I've adapted. I've had 10 to 12 games as a striker now at Everton, and I feel I've got an eye for goal. Hopefully, I can take that rich vein of form into this game as well.

"Fullback, midfield, striker, I'll play anywhere I'm asked. To play for your country is the highest honour, especially for such a big game as this. They'll be cautious, we'll be cautious, so it's about whoever can take the ball and stick it into the back of the net. Hopefully, that's me."

Finding a regular goalscorer has been an ongoing issue in an otherwise encouraging World Cup qualifying campaign, and the Socceroos failed to score in their previous two matches in Japan, both in 2001. Australia's only other appearance at the International Stadium in Yokohama was on a rain-soaked night in the semi-finals of the 2001 Confederations Cup, when a deflected Hidetoshi Nakata free kick earned the home team a place in the final.

Craig Moore was sent off in that match, and will be hoping for better luck when he returns tonight as a key member of what has been Australia's rock-solid foundation - a miserly defence. The Socceroos have conceded only three goals in nine qualifiers so far, none since the final phase began in Tashkent last September.

Ageless goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is understandably proud of the record, saying: "If we can keep another clean sheet, that means half the job is done. We've shown in the campaign so far we can defend very well. It's not just about me or the defence, because you need every player on the pitch to do their defensive duties. Good defending starts from the front, and generally that's what we've been doing.

"Albeit we have been exposed a few times, so there's always room for improvement. For me, I've been happy with my form, but I try not to get carried away. I try to stay confident, keep my head down, and work hard, and hopefully that means I play better."

Primed for a big-stage performance, he has another motivation to frustrate the Japanese.

"If we can win this game, we're virtually one game away from qualification," Schwarzer said. "As far as we're concerned the sooner we can qualify the better. My aim is to qualify by the next game against Uzbekistan. I hope that's realistic. I believe it's realistic. I believe we've got the team to do it. The worst-case scenario is we lose the game and it's a hiccup. But hopefully that won't happen."

While Japan are essentially at full strength - Urawa Red Diamonds teammates Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Tatsuya Tanaka are both set to play after recovering from injury - Australia's depth will be tested by the absence of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, with the latter likely to be replaced by regular bench warmer Brett Holman.

The AZ Alkmaar attacking midfielder is keeping his fingers crossed that he earns a start, despite falling out of favour in recent months at club level.

"It's been a difficult time for me personally, but for the club it's been fantastic," Holman said. "We're 11 points clear of second place, which is unbelievable for a small club like AZ. But obviously, for me, the wish is for more game time. It's difficult when the team is always winning to force yourself into the side, and as a player you've got to get through these things. Right now, I'm being patient, but if it continues in this manner, then I'll have to sit down with the national team coach [Verbeek] and my club and try to figure out a solution. My place in the national team is too important to me - to get edged out because I'm not playing for my club would be very disappointing."

Despite doubts about his fitness, Holman looks likely to fill the hole in behind Cahill, with Jason Culina and Mark Bresciano playing on the flanks.

It's a huge opportunity for a player who is eager to make the transition from the bench.

"The younger boys like me, and Carl Valeri, and everyone who's edging closer, we're all itching for more game time," Holman said. "It would be great to be involved. It's such a big game, I'm raring to go."