Melbourne Victory home-town hero Nishan Velupillay has some unfinished business with the Socceroos at AAMI Park.
But first the dynamic attacker is determined to take care of affairs against fierce rivals Sydney FC.
Velupillay, 24, is starting to find his feet again after multiple injury setbacks over the past year, and showed flashes of what he could do in last week's 2-1 loss to Adelaide United.
"That game against Adelaide was probably one that I felt more dynamic," Velupillay told AAP.
"I was using my pace a bit more, which was good to see - something I probably haven't done as much since I've come back. I felt more myself.
"I just need to keep at it and work hard in training. Hopefully the goals and assists will come as well."
Velupillay doesn't need motivation to perform, but having a World Cup starting in four and a half months certainly doesn't hurt.
The Socceroos return to action against Cameroon on March 27 in Sydney, before their final send-off match against Curacao at AAMI Park four days later.
"There's a lot of players and talent in the Australian set-up - overseas and in the A-League - that are trying to get there for the World Cup," Velupillay said.
"As much as it's competitive, I think it's just really exciting for the nation to be in a different stage where we've already qualified as well.
"Seeing the games now that they've got prepared, I guess it is getting a bit more real - but it's still a while away."
Melbourne local Velupillay suffered a nasty ankle injury against Saudi Arabia in the Socceroos' most recent game in Melbourne, in November 2024.
"That game was pretty special when I played against Saudi," he said.
"The injury was unfortunate. Yes, probably some unfinished business, I would say."
Velupillay scored three goals in five World Cup qualifiers before other ankle and hamstring injuries ruled him out of the June and November windows last year.
"It's a goal of mine to be back there," he said.
"I've got to keep focusing on the present and training day by day."
Ninth-placed Victory have suffered back-to-back difficult losses to Western Sydney and Adelaide ahead of facing fierce rivals Sydney, who sit third.
Monday evening's game is pivotal to staying firmly in the finals places.
"The three points are really important," Velupillay said.
"We say how tight the league is, but you want to stay with the top rather than sinking."
Boyhood Victory fan Velupillay doesn't need any reminder of the bragging rights at stake either, and urged his teammates to "take the game" to Sydney.
"If you look back at the history of the league, Sydney has always been a fixture that the Victory fans have looked forward to," he said.
"They're really passionate about their hatred for the Sydney fans. It's a special fixture. It's a fierce one.
"Hopefully it'll be entertaining on Monday."
