Yorke: Sydney aiming to spring surprise

"We understand that there are people who think we will go out in the first round but we are not going there to make up the numbers. We have no plans of being whipping boys," Sydney’s marquee player told the club’s media recently.

"We may have some inexperienced players but we also have a gaffer (coach Pierre Littbarski) who has "been there, done that" in tournament football for Germany and we also have some very experienced players."

He added: "Not only Kazu and myself but players like David Zdrilic and Bimby (Steve Corica) who have played professionally overseas. That kind of experience is a good balance along with the young players with something to prove."

Yorke, who has tasted success at the highest levels of professional football, recently accomplished his life-long dream of representing TT in a World Cup finals when the twin-island republic qualified for the 2006 event in Germany.

The 34-year old former Manchester United player, in his first season for Sydney in the fledgling Hyundai A-League, said the club would be out to erase their tag of being underdogs.

"Sydney FC may not be the favourites but we will go there and give a good account of ourselves representing not only Sydney but also Australian football and we will do people proud," Yorke said.

Sydney will begin their CWC campaign on December 12 against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa, with the winner going on to meet English Premiership Liverpool.

Yorke said while the thought an appearance in the World Cup was exciting, he was focusing on the job at hand.

"For me it was an amazing experience," Yorke pointed out. "I have been representing my country for 16 years and to finally go to the World Cup at the age of 34 is great."

"For a country of 1.3 million people it is a great achievement to make it through and I can’t wait for the World Cup but my first job is with Sydney FC, the A-League and the Club (World) Championships."