Holland on the rise

A pivotal player for Austrian Bundesliga outfit Austria Wien this season, the 23-year-old former AZ and Newcastle Jets midfielder is coming of age at club level and now aims to do the same for his country.

Back in the Socceroos fold after an absence of nearly two years, Holland was used as a late substitute in last month's 3-0 friendly win over Lebanon and will be jostling with the likes of Carl Valeri and Mile Jedinak for game time against Iraq on October 17 (AEDT), as Australia seeks to ignite its faltering bid to qualify for Brazil.

Capped six times for his country, Holland's belief is soaring after eight league starts for Austria Wien in what is shaping as a breakthrough season.

"I think playing each week for my club is they key for, it’s given me the chance to get some consistency into my game and that match fitness you need," said Holland.

"You react faster in certain situations and you have that sharpness that you can never get from training alone.

"I'm staring to feel comfortable now around the Socceroos and I am definitely ready if the chance comes for more game time for my country.

"I feel like I did well in the previous camp and took the opportunity and I think can now build on that.

"I have been playing in a defensive midfield role for my club and would be happy to do the same for my country if that’s what the boss may or may not have in mind.

"I’m picking up the ball deep and I'm involved in a lot of the build up play. It's a controlling role and you see a lot of the ball. I’m enjoying it."

Holland, who joined the Austrian Bundesliga side in January on an 18-month deal, said his ascension is down to hard work and a coach (Thomas Paritis) who believes in him following his switch from AZ.

"I've started all the league games this year and that’s a huge plus for me," he said.

"I've developed other aspects of my game. I still have the instinct to go forward, which I now have to rein in at times."

Holland is positive that Australia, which has just two points from three games, can put behind it a dispiriting and disjointed 2-1 loss to Jordan last month and pick up the three points it needs against Iraq to stop its qualification campaign from flat-lining.

"Obviously the Jordan game was a disappointment but we can re-gather ourselves and get back the momentum we need to finish in the top two of the group," he said.

"We have the quality. We have shown that in the past and we need to draw confidence from that and move forward from here.

"Hopefully Jordan was just a one-off."