ROVERS new boy Vince Grella aims to start laying the foundations for another tilt at World Cup glory when he goes up against Ewood Park team-mate Andre Ooijer on Saturday night.

Grella and Blackburn Rovers colleague Brett Emerton will line up against Ooijer’s Netherlands in Eindhoven as a warm-up for Australia’s opening World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.

And after starring in the 2006 World Cup finals, when only a controversial penalty denied the Socceroos a possible victory over eventual winners Italy in the last-16, Grella wants another taste of the big stage in South Africa in two years’ time.

“It’s a newer team and it’s going to be more complicated to make the World Cup,” said the midfielder, “But I think everyone’s goal is to make that World Cup again and show everyone it wasn’t a fluke last time.

“I think the bigger name players have got that a little bit on their conscience.”

Australia launch their qualifying campaign in Tashkent next Wednesday night and Grella believes facing the Dutch will be ideal preparation.

“I don’t think we could have picked a much better friendly game to lead into the World Cup Qualifier,” added the 28-year-old.

“It's going to be a very hard test, but I think the boys are preparing well and everyone’s looking forward to both matches.

“While there's no such thing as a friendly in football, it is a warm-up game for us and for them and it gives us a chance to work at what we need to do the business on the field against Uzbekistan.

“The qualifier won’t be easy, but the most important thing is preparing well as we want to get as many points as we can early in this round of qualifiers.

“We have eight games to go to get to the World Cup, and we’re going all out for it.”

Grella flew out with Emerton to join the rest of the Australia squad after making his Rovers debut at West Ham last Saturday.

An early booking and a 4-1 defeat was not the ideal introduction to English football for the former Empoli and Parma man, who played for the opening 45 minutes at Boleyn Ground.

But Grella insists he is looking forward to a positive stay at Ewood Park after signing a four-year deal. “I’ve only been there for a couple of days but first impressions have been good.

“The club is very professional. It's been on the cards for a while and I’m happy to be there now,” he said.