Socceroos on happy ground

The Socceroos have arrived in Mierlo (Netherlands) to prepare for the upcoming international friendly match against the Netherlands on Saturday as a warm-up to the crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier round 4 match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 10 September.

The Socceroos have arrived in Mierlo (Netherlands) to prepare for the upcoming international friendly match against the Netherlands on Saturday as a warm-up to the crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier round 4 match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 10 September.

Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek put his players through a light training session only on Monday afternoon with most players coming off a weekend of action in their domestic league competitions.

The Dutch training venue brings back happy memories for the Socceroos, as it's where they started their lead-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

"This is where it all started a couple of years back now," said defender Michael Beauchamp.

"It's definitely good to be back here and I'm looking forward to the game on the weekend."

"It's going to be another tough match, as the Netherlands has world class players.

"But our real focus is on the match against Uzbekistan.

"For us it's a very important game to get the team sorted and go on from there.

"We're very focussed on making it to the 2010 World Cup and this game is the first of eight matches which will help get us there."

Beauchamp also encouraged fans to support the Socceroos when they meet Qatar in Brisbane in the second match of the qualifiers on 15 October.

"A home win is always essential, and nothing helps more than a sea of gold and 50,000 voices cheering us on," Beauchamp said.

In other Socceroos squad news, injuries to striker Scott McDonald (groin) and goal-keeper Brad Jones (finger) will mean the pair will not be joining the camp in the Netherlands.

All Socceroos matches are broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.