Soccer: Aussies beat Greece in friendly

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has warned that Australia needs to step up a gear to have any chance in its next World Cup warm-up match against the Netherlands.

Hiddink was speaking in the wake of last night's 1-0 friendly win over European Champions Greece in front of a massive 95,000 fans at the MCG last night.

The Socceroos now fly out for the Netherlands where they will have friendly games against their hosts and Liechtenstein before their first World Cup finals match against Japan on June 12.

Hiddink says the world rankings show how tough Holland will be.

"We go to maybe under 40 in the FIFA ranking and Holland is second. So second in FIFA ranking means they've won the last 15 games and a couple of draws - so this is a very strong team."

The Socceroos went into last night's game having trained twice a day all week and captain Mark Viduka acknowledged that some of the players were tired by the second half.

"To be honest, a lot of us are very tired because we've had some tough sessions," he said.

"I think Guus has a plan for us. I think he wants us to be fully fit for the first game [against Japan] and I think this is part of his plan.

"How are we placed? It's difficult to tell. We've still got quite a bit of time training together but I think if we keep the intensity up, which we surely will, I think we'll be flying for that first game."

Hiddink agreed that fitness levels needed to improve between now and the first match in Germany.

"We have to get more physical depth, more strength in the upcoming days because when you're playing three games in a short time, you must be physically top, top, fit," he said. "But I'm happy with the performance."

Viduka meanwhile was brimming with praise for Josip Skoko's 15th minute goal.

"It was unbelievable. As soon as it left his foot I thought it was going in. I saw it going into the side netting. It was a beautiful goal. Very rarely do you score goals like that."

- RADIO AUSTRALIA