Australian captain Lucas Neill is acutely aware that results are what matters in football and not how you achieve that end outcome.

The Galatasaray defender, who is set to lead the Socceroos in their second successive World Cup finals appearance, knows all too well that winning is the essence of professional football and plans to continue the brand the national team has played all the way through qualifying to ensure they did gain requirement into the world's biggest sporting event.

''I just think, unfortunately, rightly or wrongly, we are judged on results. That's something as a professional that you learn to live with, especially in Europe. Managers especially," Neill said.

''Maybe (expectations of great attacking pay) comes from a crazy 15 minutes against Japan (in Germany 2006) when we looked like losing and then won 3-1, and the Croatia game that was end to end full of chances…people want to be entertained.

''Me, personally, I would rather send the message out this way: 'Would you rather be in the quarters, semi or final of the World Cup, or would you rather play three amazing exciting games and lose 5-4 in the group stage?' I know which one we would rather take.''

Neill added that he felt the squad was in a good position just three weeks out from the tournament and confirmed that the group was completely focused on doing a job in South Africa.

''I think we are in a good position. The right players are scoring goals or threatening to score goals. We have just been here in camp for a few days but you can tell that everyone is determined," he added.