Socceroos midfielder James Holland is expecting some "dirty" play from world champions Spain and feels Australia should be prepared to fight fire with fire when they face them in Brazil.
The 25-year-old, who plays in the Austrian top flight with Austria Vienna, competed in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) this season.
He faced the likes of newly crowned Spanish champions and UCL finalists Atletico Madrid who boast several Spanish internationals including striker Diego Costa.
Holland says he's bracing for a some possible underhanded tactics when Australia face Spain in their final World Cup group match on June 23 in Curitiba, particularly from Costa.
"He's a fantastic player. Very dirty, but fantastic," Holland said on Sunday.
"Yeah maybe (we will have to fight fire with fire). He takes it to a new level."
Having only arrived on the NSW Central Coast from Austria on Saturday night, Holland was consigned to just light duties on Sunday while the other 15 Socceroos in camp had a full training session.
With 13 midfielders in the 30-man squad Holland is yet to be assured a spot in the final 23 and may feel some pressure from rising stars Adam Sarota and Oliver Bozanic.
But he's hoping playing against some of the world's best footballers in the prestigious UCL will give him an edge.
"I had a full season and I was able to experience some champions League games, it can only help me," he said.
"For me it was good to test myself against those kind of players. That's the level you're expecting in the World Cup as well.
"So it does help."
With 12 caps under his belt, Holland is one of the more experienced players in Ange Postecoglou's preliminary 30-man squad.
But he knows that won't count for much when the coach names his final 23.
"Ange is fair, I know if you do well on the training field you will get your chance," he said.
"It's up to us at the end of the day.
"He doesn't necessarily look at experience, he looks at form and hopefully I can put my best foot forward."
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