Brett Emerton is confident that there was nothing in Tim Cahill not playing in Australia's World Cup qualifier against Oman on Friday.

The Socceroos drew 0-0 with the Omanis in Muscat and did so without star midfielder Cahill who was left out by manager Holger Osieck.

But Sydney FC ace Emerton, currently sidelined by injury, has played down a rift between the Everton attacker and the German tactician and is confident Cahill will do well against Japan on Tuesday night.

"Not that I know of," said Emerton when asked if there was a rift between the two.

"Timmy is a great squad player.

"He knows that every game requires a different type of player, and that's the way Holger likes to make his decisions.

"Timmy's performances for the national teams speak for themselves. He always stands up and delivers.

"If Holger thinks Timmy's the right man to play tonight, to unlock that Japanese defence, then he'll get that starting berth."

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