© Aaron Warburton, Pirtek Parramatta Eels

L-R Mile Sterjovski, Glenn Duncan (Pirtek), Jacob Burns, Steve Dutton (Pirtek), Scott Chipperfield, & Josh Kennedy at Parramatta Stadium.

Socceroos Scott Chipperfield, Jacob Burns, Josh Kennedy and Mile Sterjovski took time out from preparations for Wednesday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan to watch the Pirtek Parramatta Eels play the Canberra Raiders at Parramatta Stadium.

The quartet were special guests of the Eels and major sponsors Pirtek, watching the 18-16 win from a corporate suite in the Ken Thornett Stand.

The game was something of a return home for Sterjovski, who spent two seasons with the Parramatta Power in the old National Soccer League. Chipperfield was also a member of the Wollongong Wolves side that won the 2001 NSL Grand Final, which was played at Parramatta Stadium.

© Aaron Warburton, Pirtek Parramatta Eels

Mile Sterjovski visits the Eels rooms after the match, cathcing up with trainer Hayden Knowles and five eighth Jarryd Hayne.

Burns (current club: Unirea Voluntari Urziceni, Romania), Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland), Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Sterjovski (Derby County, England) have spent the past five days training with team mates in Parramatta ahead of Wednesday night’s qualifier, to be played at ANZ Stadium.

A victory would see Australia all but qualify for South Africa 2010, however it won’t be easy with the Uzbeks coming off a 4-nil demolition of Qatar in Tashkent at the weekend.

If the Socceroos win on Wednesday and Bahrain and Qatar play out a draw on Thursday Australia will be through to its second consecutive World Cup finals.

Failing that the Australians will need just a point from their remaining three qualification games – two of which will be played at home – in June to qualify.