Emerton rues missed opportunity

Socceroos midfielder Brett Emerton indicated he is gutted to be suspended for Australia's second round sudden-death World Cup match against Italy on Monday night but says he will be there to cheer the team on.

Socceroos midfielder Brett Emerton indicated he is gutted to be suspended for Australia's second round sudden-death World Cup match against Italy on Monday night but says he will be there to cheer the team on.

Emerton, one of the cleanest players in the game, received his second yellow card of the tournament late in the second half of the match against Croatia for time wasting and was shown red for an innocuous hand ball only moments before Australia held on for a draw to progress to the next round.

The collection of yellows cards means Emerton will miss Australia's match against Italy.

"Obviously I am disappointed…a huge disappointment… but at the same time I am ecstatic for the boys," Emerton said after the Croatian match.

"I have experienced it before when I missed out on the UEFA Cup final - it seems I miss out on the biggest matches of my career.

"And, I hate sitting on the bench and watching - I think it is more nerve racking than actually playing but I will just be there and support the boys in whatever they need and help push them along."

Emerton has been one of the stars of Australia's first round matches at the World Cup, playing in a number of positions in the team. But he feels the quality depth the Socceroos possess will hold them in good stead in the do-or-die match against Italy.

"This Australian team - I think the camaraderie is something special," said Emerton.

"Everyone gets on so well together and as you can see out there on the pitch everyone fights for each other and we will continue to do so."

" Throughout the whole team there is a lot of confidence and the more we play together the better the understanding is and I think with each and every game we are getting more confident in our ability as well and that is showing out there on the pitch."

"I think we deserved to go through to the next round and we've done that and it is going to be something special."