Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo has heaped praise on assistant coach Tony Popovic for helping him find consistent form this season. Colosimo was recently selected for the Australian squad to take on Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier on January 6 - his first call-up in two years - and has thanked former Socceroos centre-half Popovic for his positive influence.

"Poppa (Popovic) is the No.1 reason I'm in this position to be honest,'' Colosimo said before flying out of Sydney last night. "Yes I'm fit, I've got my body right and so on but he has been invaluable - going into training on a Friday before a game and discussing things with him, just the information he gives you.

"I might have driven him mad asking so many questions but why wouldn't you? The guy's been to the World Cup, played in the Premier League, and I feed off that.

"Before this season I hadn't played centre back for a while and he has been a huge plus in adapting.''

The 30-year old said it was a great opportunity to press his claims for World Cup selection but admitted it was up to him to do his best and impress Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek.

"It's a good opportunity - that's basically what Pim has given all of us. The rest is up to us, it's not in his hands," he added.

"Having said that, it will be tough, undoubtedly. I had another look at the game in Canberra in March [won by Kuwait 1-0] - I was there that night and saw how good they were.

"We'll train hard, and hope we get the breaks - the ball could hit the post and go in, or it could hit the post and go wide.

"But we'll put ourselves in the best possible position and see what happens. I want to be there, be part of a World Cup squad.

"And I believe I can.''

For more news on the 2010 World Cup, go to http://www.worldcup.tribalfootball.com/page/Home/0,,12952,00.html