Mark Bresciano admits expectations on the Socceroos to perform at the World Cup are a little high, but says the team are ready to shock in Brazil.
Hundreds of fans gathered at Sydney Airport on Wednesday to farewell the Australian squad ahead of their lunchtime flight.
Superstar Tim Cahill drew the biggest cheers as he walked through the crowd with his 26 teammates, led by coach Ange Postecoglou and Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop.
Midfielder Bresciano, heading to his third World Cup, said he was just as excited for Brazil as he'd been before his previous campaigns.
"It's always a dream going to a World Cup, regardless if it's your first or third," he told reporters.
"I guess the expectation is maybe a little bit high (this time) because, in the last nine or 10 years, we've been very successful as a nation.
"Saying that, we know that we are going to Brazil in a very tough group but we're going to go there and just try and do our country proud and do ourselves proud and try and shock the world."
Bresciano said fans shouldn't be disheartened by the side's lacklustre 1-1 draw with South Africa on Monday night, given most players weren't in the best physical condition following an intense training camp.
"Obviously, it is disappointing because you always play a game to win, and the fans want to see their country win," he added.
"But I don't think that'll make a difference.
"As a nation, we've always felt the support from our fans and I think we're going to see that in Brazil."
With Australia the worst-ranked team in the tournament, they are unsurprisingly at long odds - upwards of $750 - to win the title.
Asked whether they were a worthy investment, Bresciano quipped: "You could put a dollar on it."
The Socceroos will be one of the first teams to arrive in Brazil ahead of the showpiece and all eyes are set to be on the Australians.
But Bresciano believes it will work in their favour.
"I think it's worth getting there as early as possible - just to get the feel of the World Cup, get a feel of the atmosphere and get to know where we're travelling ... so you can focus on your training leading up to the friendly game and obviously the World Cup," the 34-year-old said.
The squad, to be reduced to 23 on June 2, face Croatia in a warm-up on June 6 ahead of their World Cup opener against Chile a week later.
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