Socceroos Tommy Oar and Jason Davidson’s experience of Dutch football gives them an advantage going into the World Cup when the two nations meet on June 19.
The Socceroos have never lost to the Netherlands in three previous meeting and Heracles defender Davidson believes the Oranje are wary of taking on the new-look Green and Gold.
"They are a team that's in transition and have quite a lot of young players like us," the 22-year-old said.
"I don't think they are coming into the tournament taking anything for granted. They believe that when they play Australia it's going to be a tough game.
"We're a bit of unknown to them because we have a lot of faces that not many people in the world of football know.
"Because they have a young team my perception is they won't come into the world cup arrogant. They are young and they are trying to prove a point like we are."
With Davidson and Oar being the same age and playing down the left flank, the pair has forged a strong combination and have the potential to cement those spots in the national team for years to come.
Playing in Holland for their respective clubs has only made their bond even stronger.
"I've known Tommy for a while from the young national teams so I think we have a great chemistry and playing in Holland we have a good vibe," Davidson said.
"We've seen each other, we know how we play, when I've got days off and he's playing I watch his games so I think the chemistry's good and playing in the same country helps.
"If we get it right for years to come we can make those positions ours and we can play for a lot of years together.
"It's going to be hard work from both of us and we have to make sure individually we do our job..I think we've gelled well against Ecuador so the potential is there."
The Socceroos began will have their first training session together on the NSW Central Coast on Friday in the lead-up to their farewell game against South Africa in Sydney on May 26.
Oar is using the experience of getting so close four years ago to ensure this time he makes the Socceroos cut for Brazil.
Oar finds himself in the same position he was four years ago, part of the 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup.
Then an 18-year-old prodigy, Oar was considered a big chance to go to South Africa and was even chosen alongside Craig Moore to model the Socceroos' new playing strip.
Things didn't go to plan though with coach Pim Verbeek cutting Oar from his final 23.
But after establishing himself in the Dutch Eridivise at FC Utrecht over the last few season, the new-and-improved Oar is confident now is his time on the world stage.
"That was a fantastic moment for me to have the opportunity to go to the last World Cup and be a part of the camp," Oar said from the team's camp in Terrigal on Thursday.
"I obviously missed out on final selection but I guess being 18 it was a fantastic experience and I definitely learned a lot in my time there.
"I'm four years older now and I've got a bit more experience playing in Europe and in the Eridivisie.
"Hopefully I can use it to my advantage in the next few weeks and try and stake my claim to get into the final 23."
Given his rise in recent seasons and his form in the Netherlands this year, Oar is a near certainty to be on the plane for Brazil.
He was part of the most recent squad against Ecuador in March, where the Socceroos produced some breathtaking football in the first half to open up a 3-0 lead.
While things went sour after the break – with Mitch Langerak sent off and losing 4-3 – Oar believes the young squad showed just how much potential they have,
And with close to a month to prepare as a squad before their World Cup opener against Chile, things will only get better.
"We're very inexperienced but I think that will only make everybody more enthusiastic and hopefully that kind of energy can help us perform to our best," Oar said.
"If you look at the Ecuador game we had the same fairly inexperienced team playing that game and we showed in the first half what we're capable of and I think with a longer preparation time we can make that even stronger."
The Socceroos are playing in Sydney in May so send them off to Brazil in style.
Send Off the Socceroos
Socceroos vs South Africa, presented by NAB
Monday 26 May 2014
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Tickets from $30, including public transport. Buy now!