Australian pair Brett Holman and Sasa Ognenovski understand that Iraq will prove to be a tough opponent in Saturday's Asian Cup quarter-final.

AZ Alkmaar star Holman feels that the Socceroos can take the reigning champions on the counter and make the most of the space in the front third whilst Ognenovski identified the areas the Iraqis were strong.

But the duo were supremely confident that the Australian team could get the job done in Doha.

"I think from an attacking sense, especially when you look at their first game against Iran where they gave away a lot of space. I think we can exploit that. If we can do that then we might have a great chance," Holman told Fox Sports.

Ognenovski added: "They have got dangerous boys up front, the defenders are nice and strong. They are a pretty good team and we are going to have to be on our game to get a result against them."