Curitiba (Brazil), May 29 (IANS): Australia midfielder Tommy Oar says his team's lack of experience and relative anonymity could work in their favour during the FIFA World Cup.
The Socceroos were the first team after hosts Brazil to arrive Wednesday in the South American nation ahead of the June 12-July 13 tournament, reports Xinhua.
"We are an unknown quantity. It's going to be a great opportunity for the team to surprise and that is really exciting," Oar was quoted saying by FIFA.com. "The fact the tournament is in the home of football provides even more motivation."
FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke was on the tarmac in the southern city of Curitiba to welcome the Socceroos before they boarded a chartered flight to their World Cup base in Vitoria, about 500km north of Rio de Janeiro.
"The @socceroos have landed in Brazil! Welcome to the 1st team arriving for the #WorldCup. #bemvindos #jatemcopa," Valcke wrote on Twitter.
Australia will meet Croatia in a friendly in Salvador June 6 before their opening Group B fixture against Chile in Cuiaba eight days later.