Australia and Liverpool FC midfielder Harry Kewell, flush after the Socceroos success against Uruguay in the World Cup finals playoffs last Wednesday, which the Socceroos won dramatically 4-2 on penalties after extra time in the second leg, believes Australia could prove to be the 'Dark Horses' in next Summers World Cup Finals, with bookmakers William Hill offering great value for the socceroos to lift the cup at 125/1.

Kewell, who came off the bench to help inspire Australia’s success against Uruguay on Wednesday night, wants Australia to emulate the successes of other International "lightweights", like in 2002 when South Korea – under the management of Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink - reached the semi-finals, and also Euro 2004 where Greece surprised everybody in Portugal and beyond by beating the hosts in the final to lift the European Championship.

Before boarding his flight back to England back to rejoin his club side Liverpool, Kewell said: "This is hopefully only the beginning of the adventure.”

"We're not going to Germany just to be one of the lightweights. We plan to make our mark and shock a few people. Look at what did Greece did in Portugal. Who gave them a chance? Most people thought they were only there to make up the numbers.”

"South Korea also made a big name for themselves and how about Croatia getting to the semi-finals? (France 98) Every big tournament produces one team that stands up from out of nowhere. Why shouldn't that team be us?"

Kewell's confidence is a sure measure of the optimism resonating through the Socceroos camp, and who have a squad that he believes is the best in the nine years since he made his debut for Australia as a 17 year old against Chile back in 1996.

As far as the future of the Socceroos squad, Kewell thinks that things look to get better for Australia. "The difference between now and probably six months ago is that the younger players like (22-year-old defender) Michael Thwaite are coming through and adding to our depth.”

One thing is for sure, the Socceroos will be no lightweights in terms of support during the World Cup finals, with tens thousands of fans expected to make their way to Germany next June, and with millions of other Aussies voicing their support from every corner of the World.

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