Lucas Neill has stressed that next year's Asian Cup is very important to Australia. The Galatasaray defender is not in Australia for Wednesday's final qualifying match against Indonesia but has made his feelings clear that the Socceroos must win to gain momentum leading into the World Cup and to ensure qualification for the Asian Cup to be held in Qatar 2011.

"I hope they win - they need to win," Neill said.

"We can't afford any mishaps. The Asian Cup is very important to Australia and this squad has to realise that.

"I am sure they will go out and give a good account of themselves. There is an opportunity for a few of them to go out and maybe sneak in the back door for the World Cup as well.

"The squad for the World Cup has not been picked yet. Someone may turn up in Brisbane and do very well. It would be a good opportunity to play well and be in the forefront of Pim Verbeek's mind. The time has come."