That is despite Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou appearing to have shut the door on the 39 year-old goalkeeper, with his talk of regeneration and a four-year cycle.

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"I know I'm playing well enough to be in it, based solely on performance," Covic said.

"I wasn't selected and there's not much I can do about it, just go to the next game and, I suppose, keep playing well and keep proving to the people that I'm a bloody good goalkeeper."

Asked if he thought he was a good chance of being included for the game in Japan on 18 November ahead of the 23-man squad being named on Wednesday, Covic replied: "Yes.

"I know they're going through a regeneration, but at the same time you've got to look at performance. For me, that's the biggest reason you get picked to play for your country. because you want to have the best-performing players.

"And I can't question my form and a lot of people can't question it either and regardless of age there's a major tournament to be played.

"I know there has to be a balance, where you go through stages and you're looking at the long-term, but 'Bresh' is there for a reason, Timmy Cahill is there for a reason. Are they going to be there at the next World Cup?

"I get the whole regeneration of the team thing, but you can't question Bresh being there now, and the same with Timmy, because they offer something to the team.

"Those type of players, you're going to have a few, regardless of age. Regeneration is important, but you've also got to have players who can offer leadership and experience and not necessarily be affected by a four or five-year plan if they're playing well."

Covic, who was judged the player of the ACL tournament after a series of outstanding performances for the Wanderers, capped off by a brilliant and crucial save late in the second leg of the final against Al Hilal, said he was prepared whichever way Postecoglou went for the Japan game.

He wasn't whinging about his non-selection, but making the point that he believed he was in the right form to do a job if called upon.

Covic said he believed he was still a chance for the Asian Cup because it was a big tournament in which Australia was desperate to perform well and the inclusion of players at the top of their game would be crucial to the team's chances.

"All I'm saying is I believe I'm in good enough form to be a national team player," Ante Covic.

"It's not my decision in the end and I know age is working against me over time - if I was five or six years younger I reckon I'd be in there for sure - but at the same time I've got to believe in myself.

"I haven't given up on the Asian Cup. It's something that I aim at and something that I want and I would never say no to playing for the national team because having done it before I know how proud a moment it is to represent your country.

"There are a lot of expectations on Australia at the Asian Cup and I just think that with the national team you want the best players at the time on the field.

"If that's me - some people might disagree with that, some people might think that I'm not good enough or whatever, and that's their opinion and that's fair enough, but I just know, personally, I'm in good form. Whether that's enough to get into the side, it's not my decision."

Covic had a terrific season playing for Melbourne Victory in 2011-2012, but when Postecoglou took over as coach there for the next season he chose not to re-sign him, opting for younger goalkeepers.

The pair were together last year, when Covic played for the A-League All Stars against Manchester United under Postecoglou's coaching.

Covic said that as far as he was concerned there is no issue between the pair.

"Ange let me go at Victory and I suppose in the All Stars I was selected by experts and fans, but I had no problem in the relationship with him during that time," Covic said. "We had a few chats, no issue there.

"But at the same time I haven't really dealt with Ange that much, so I don't really know what he thinks. I can't judge any of that, because I don't know him personally.

"I've just got to think that the coach of the national team is going to pick the best available players at the time for a big tournament, because he wants to win."

Covic said that to maintain a high level of form at his increasing age, he has to set himself difficult goals.

"If I set my goals at 'I want to play one more year', or 'I want to make the finals again', it doesn't really inspire me," he said.

"So when we came to this season I wanted to win the champions league, even though no-one outside the club thought we could.

"And I wanted to get to another grand final in the A-League. I know there's no guarantee that will happen, but I've got to set those goals for myself so that I then have to push myself to try to get there.

"The national team is one of my goals as well. I'm still playing well, so, why not?

"I set myself the highest goals and at the end of the day if you don't make it, but you've given it your best shot, then you know there's nothing else you could have done.

"There's still an Asian Cup around the corner, so I'll maintain my focus. I've got plenty of A-League games and the Club World Cup left to prove my worth."