Mark Bresciano admits expectations on the Socceroos to perform at the World Cup are a little high, but says the team are ready to spring a surprise in Brazil.
"It's always a dream going to a World Cup, regardless if it's your first or third," he told reporters at Sydney Sirport as the Australia squad prepared to fly to Brazil. "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 tame 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."
Hundreds of fans gathered at the airport to bid farewell to the Socceroos before their lunchtime flight.
Tim Cahill drew the biggest cheers as he walked through the crowd with his team-mates, led by coach Ange Postecoglou and Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop.
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 tournament 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 2 June, face Croatia in a warm-up on 6 June ahead of their World Cup opener against Chile a week later.