Perth Glory star missed out on playing in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
Australia defender Michael Thwaite insists previous World Cup disappointment won’t deter him from fighting for a spot on the plane to Brazil next year.
The 30-year-old was prevented from representing the Socceroos in 2006 – the first time they had qualified for the tournament in 32 years – as well as 2010 and is keen to make up for lost time.
Thwaites, who earned his 12th cap in the East Asian Cup draw with South Korea on Saturday, says he is determined to make it into Holger Osieck’s squad and believes his defensive versatility is a huge advantage.
“I think the boss (Osieck) has made some courageous and great choices … hence why we’re going to another World Cup,” he told Fox Sports.
“In talking about being competitive it’s been tough for me. I’ve come up against a lot of good defenders in that (past) era and this current one.
“Things happen, but I wouldn’t take any of it back because I’m very lucky to be involved since that time (2005) under a lot of good coaches.
“You would like to cement your position but I guess in the national team because there are so many bright prospects, you have to be versatile … anything can happen.
“Any position that I get a chance in, I’ll take it with both hands.”
A pay dispute with Romanian club Naţional Bucureşti, his employers at the time, ended Thwaites hopes of making it to Germany eight-years ago and strengthened his resolve to make it to the next World Cup in South Africa
The Perth Glory star, who was 22 at the time, even moved back to the A-League in order to enhance his chances only for new Australia coach Pim Verbeek to turn his back on Australian-based players.
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