"The last two World Cup experiences were amazing, but to have this one, it's definitely going to be the last one for me. It would be the icing on the cake to first of all qualify and play in another World Cup. It'd be unfair and unrealistic to even think about another World Cup after this one. Now more than ever I concentrate on short term rather than long term." Kennedy won't be drawn on possible retirement plans, and it is likely he will stay involved — if selected — until the next Asian Cup which is being staged in Australia in 2015. He missed both the 2007 and 2011 tournaments, and would live to get the chance to play in at least one before he finishes. "I'd loved to be involved in the Asian Cup. Being at home, on the home stage, would definitely be another highlight of my career. I've missed the last two we've been in." While most of his Socceroo team-mates seem keen to avoid a return to the A-League, Kennedy is open to the idea when he finishes his time in Japan, where he has enjoyed plenty of success with Nagoya in the J-League. He moved to Japan following several years in Germany, where he went after developing in the old NSL. "I'd definitely like to keep playing as long as the body plays at a decent level and whether that's till I'm 35 or however old, we'll see. But definitely the A-League is interesting to me. I'd love to play in front of family and friends back home, but saying that still being able to do that a good level."

Kennedy has been in rare form in recent games for Osieck but he is not taking anything for granted as Oman looks to bounce back after the disappointment of its heavy defeat in Tokyo at the weekend. Oman, after all, did defeat the Socceroos the last time they met in Muscat and Kennedy says the Socceroos learnt plenty from the experience. "It was a completely different game to the way they played in Australia. We'll be ready for them if they make these tactical changes, if they sit back, if they play a little different. I don't think it's going to surprise us the way it may have last time. Obviously [it's important] not to concede. In these conditions you can't concede an early goal. It's extremely hard to chase a game. "The weather doesn't permit us to be going out attacking, attacking and play a high pressure game. The same goes for them. Patience and obviously taking our chances when they come will be the key. We may only get one or half a chance and we need to make the most out of it. "I don't think we take anything for granted. We didn't underestimate them [last time]. They learnt a lot from the game we played in Australia. They scored early in the last game, which makes thing difficult. We had enough chances to score goals as well. If you get half a chance or a chance you have to make the most of it." Having played in Japan for so long he is in a good position to assess the Blue Samurai mood as they prepare to meet the Socceroos, and he knows just how formidable they can be.

Loading "They're definitely on a high. They've had really good preparation with their team. They've got the confidence, especially after getting off to a good start to carry it on." He singles out two well-known players that Australia must pay particular attention to. "I don't think you can go past [Shinji] Kagawa in midfield and obviously [Keisuke] Honda, who scored the first goal against Oman. Honda's been injured a bit in the past 12 months, but these two players, definitely can change a game and control a game as well."