The Celtic midfielder will miss the match with an ankle complaint, and with coach Graham Arnold in isolation and under pressure to return a negative COVID-19 test to rejoin the team, the build-up has been less than ideal.

Fellow Tuggeranong United alum and former Socceroo Carl Valeri said Australia will need to channel the gutsy, never-say-die attitude of the legendary 2006 World Cup team to taste victory this week.

"We've always had it tough. There's never been a World Cup qualifying campaign that has gone smoothly," the 52-capped Socceroo said.

"In the ones I was involved in, there was always a turning point. You think back to 2005. They had to qualify in amazing circumstances.

"But whenever there's a big game, there's a lift. Every Socceroos squad has that determination especially on home soil to never give up."

Australia are in a difficult position again as the World Cup qualifying stages reach a crescendo ahead of the tournament in November.

The Socceroos sit third in Group B of the AFC, three points behind Japan and four behind Saudi Arabia. With only the top two progressing, Australia's fourth and final qualification match at Homebush is pivotal.

A win on Thursday followed by victory in their final match against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on March 30 should see them overtake Japan and qualify. However a loss in either match will force them into a tough playoff route to Qatar, and a draw threatens the same result.

If Australia need to go through the new-look, two-week playoff stage, they will likely face third-placed Group A qualifier United Arab Emirates, before the final hurdle of a fifth-placed South American contender.

The path to Australia's fifth-straight World Cup finals appearance is a rocky one, and Valeri said their chances will hang on the efforts of more "experienced" players in the team.

Only seven of the 27 in the Socceroos squad have more than 30 caps - which includes Rogic and Jackson Irvine, who was ruled out with COVID-19 prior to arriving in camp.

"It's going to be hard against Japan because they play well as a unit and have standout stars," Valeri said.

"We're going to have limited opportunities. Now's the time for those experienced players to stand up."

Australia haven't lost to Japan on home soil since 1998, with one win and two draws since 2010. Overall, since their first clash in 1956 the Socceroos hold a 5-3-3 record against their AFC rivals.

Though the team has lost the last of the 2006 squad in Tim Cahill following his retirement in 2018, Valeri believes the team can still get to another World Cup with a fresh approach.

"The Socceroos had to evolve to maintain a high standard," he said.

"You can't replace guys like Timmy or that 2006 squad, because they were a one-off, but we have evolved into a team that has to perform together to get a result. We've always done well against Japan and at home.

"It's important that the youth get to watch the Socceroos at a World Cup so they can dream to do the same. I know we have the ability to qualify.

"Adversity is always there. If the Socceroos are good enough to overcome it, then they deserve to be in the World Cup, which is an awesome achievement."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: