Australia face the Uzbeks in the first Group A match of their World Cup campaign in Tashkent on September 11.

Coach Pim Verbeek’s national squad has assembled in London for the friendly match against the World Cup hosts at Loftus Road.

And sitting in the stands of the Queens Park Rangers club will be Uzbekistan team manager Vadim Abramov.

Uzbekistan will play Oman in a friendly match on Thursday morning but Abramov will be taking down notes to pass on to national coach Rauf Inileev.

"The match in Tashkent will be mystery match for both teams, a special match,’’ national team chief administrator Alisher Nikimbaev said.

"We have never played each other at any level and we both are not accustomed to each other’s style.

"For this reason Abramov is in London to have a look at the Socceroos.

"Australia play their football like no other team in Asia while we are totally different in style to Japan and the Gulf teams Bahrain and Qatar.

"That’s why the match at the Pakhtakor Stadium will be a special event.’’

Uzbekistan should be led by experienced captain Maksim Shatskikh.

The Dynamo Kyiv striker agreed terms with Russian side Krylia Sovetov Samara three months ago but saw his dream of playing in Russia’s first division crushed when Samara baulked at the Ukrainians’ asking price.

The top two teams in the Group A round-robin will qualify automatically for the World Cup.