Blackburn Rovers midfielder Brett Emerton believes the extra experience and the close-knit relationship of the Australian national team players will hold them in good stead during the World Cup.
Many critics have said that the Socceroos have not changed since 2006 and are now just four years older and slower but Emerton doesn't necessarily see that as a bad thing.
"The majority is the same team from (the World Cup in Germany) four years ago and we're like brothers," Emerton told AAP. "Everyone gets on well together and I think that shows on the pitch as well.
"The main difference is the experience the players have gained in the past four years. We can get that to work to our advantage."
The average age of the Aussies is 28.4 years as opposed to their Group D opponents Germany (24.9), Serbia (26) and the youngest of all 32 competing teams, Ghana (24.1).
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