World Cup trailblazer Adrian Alston thought Socceroos coach Holger Osieck was having him on.

Failing to recollect a past meeting during his playing career, Alston was even more disbelieving when Osieck told him the result.

The year was 1977 and Alston was at United States club the Tampa Bay Rowdies, in a league that boasted the legendary quality of George Best.

During a chance recent meeting, former striker Alston was reminded how the battling Vancouver Whitecaps, where Osieck was playing as a defender, triumphed 1-0 in an unlikely upset.

"I couldn't believe it, I thought he was lying," Alston said with a laugh.

"Especially when he told me the result, I thought he was mistaken for sure.

"But it was true, he got one on me there, Holger."

Any doubts Alston has about Osieck end with long-forgotten memories of his playing days.

Alston watched with delight last Tuesday as Australia secured their third consecutive World Cup appearance and fourth since the ex-Wollongong Wolves and Bulli coach was a pioneer back in 1974.

Having played in the same era and knowing Osieck was an assistant to Franz Beckenbauer with the World Cup-winning West German team in 1990, Alston is certain Australia will be well prepared for their Brazil campaign.

"We're in good hands," Alston said.

"He's been there before and been part of a winning squad; we are very lucky on that count.

"He has that knowledge of how to be successful in the biggest event in the world.

"The challenge now is ensuring the squad is in a good place in 12 months' time."

Alston highlighted the need for Australian captain Lucas Neill to secure his future after playing out a short-term contract with Sydney FC.

He also said Albion Park junior Luke Wilkshire should be guaranteed a place in Brazil and argues Josh Kennedy's goal against Iraq was more significant than the tactical masterstroke it proved after Osieck removed Tim Cahill.

A star striker himself, Alston is adamant Cahill will not be used as a target man in Brazil, making it vital their other attacking options form a major contribution.

"When we get to the World Cup, I can guarantee Tim Cahill won't be playing the same role," he said.

"We know how good he is with his head, but when we are playing other nations who are bigger in stature than some of the Asian nations we've been playing against, he won't be playing there.

"There's a lot of tactical considerations to be made, but a World Cup year really heightens the need for Australian players to be playing consistently well in the lead-up."

Alston will be part of a reunion in Hong Kong in November, at the same neutral venue where Australia beat South Korea 1-0 to book their ticket to Germany 40 years ago.

Born in England, Alston still has his "return ticket" after building his career around being part of the Socceroos' first World Cup squad.

His name will forever be part of Australian football folklore, following his double against Iraq in 1973 to help them qualify for the tournament in pre-unified Germany the following year.

"My header was better than his too," Alston said, only half-jokingly comparing Kennedy's winner against his own heroics 40 years ago.

Alston said Australia should have learnt their lesson from the 2010 World Cup, when they were blown off the pitch by a rampant Germany, who won 4-0.

"We clearly weren't ready and the first game is so important," he said.

"I'm very confident Holger will be well prepared."

With the code now firmly in the Australian mainstream psyche on the back of the Socceroos' and A-League success, Alston maintains football has been provided with another leg-up because of off-field drama in rival codes.

"Generally football has been pretty squeaky clean compared to other football codes, you don't see too many problems," he said.

"Qualifying for another World Cup is a great boost for the sport in Australia ...

"I'm very proud to have played football for Australia and see how far the game has come; it gives me great satisfaction."