Bresciano dismisses heat concerns

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15 October 2012-AAP

Australia Mark Bresciano 2014 FIFA World Cup Iraq

Not concerned ... Australia stalwart Mark Bresciano (Getty Images)

Australia stalwart Mark Bresciano has downplayed concerns about the impact the heat will play in Tuesday afternoon's (Wednesday morning AEDT) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Qatar.

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The thermometer is expected to be hovering in the mid-30s when the match kicks off at 5.15pm local time in Doha.

"It's not going to be easy but I don't think it will be even close to the conditions we played in Oman (in June)," said Bresciano, who plays for local club Al Gharafa.

"That was right in the peak of the Middle East summer and at 5pm, while that's the same time as this next match, the heat isn't the same.

"The only way you can adjust to it is like we do in training at that specific time and coming here as early as possible to acclimatise."

The sun will be setting as the match starts at Grand Hamad Stadium.

"Okay, it's warm, but it's not comparable to the situation we had in Oman," said Socceroos coach Holger Osieck.

With only two points from their opening three matches in the final phase of World Cup qualifying, the third-placed Socceroos are desperate to notch up a win.

Australia must finish in the top two of the group or face the ordeal of defeating another Asian team and the fifth-placed South American outfit to reach Brazil.