Fabio Capello's side produced an average team display during the 2-2 draw with Czech Republic at Wembley, where only a scrambled effort from substitute Joe Cole in stoppage time prevented another home defeat.

When the quest to reach South Africa 2010 starts for real against Andorra in Barcelona on September 6, performances are expected to be raised throughout the team ahead of the crunch trip to Zagreb four days later.

Manchester United striker Rooney was part of Steve McClaren's side which lost 2-0 there during October 2006.

Afterwards, the England players faced harsh words from the disgruntled travelling support, which would continue to face more disappointment as the ill-fated Euro 2008 qualification bid was finally brought to an unceremonious end with defeat again in the return fixture at Wembley on a wet November night last year.

However, the 22-year-old is confident that this time, things will be different.

"All the players cannot wait for the Croatia game, with what they did to us, embarrassed us a bit," Rooney said.

"We can't wait to get over there and beat them.

"Because of them, and also maybe because of ourselves as well, we were not at the Euros, so we want to pay them back."

Rooney continued: "We always have a point to prove. We believe we have the players to do well in these major tournaments.

"We have not done so in the past few years, but hopefully this can change for us and we can do well.

"We have all been looking forwards to this after not qualifying for Euros.

"We will all be ready and willing to give our best. Hopefully it will be good enough."

Rooney was deployed as a second striker behind Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe against the Czechs on Wednesday night.

Although not firing on all cylinders, the United frontman was content to get another game under his belt after being laid low with a virus picked up during pre-season in Nigeria.

"Maybe at times I am a bit too honest, and at club level the manager is telling me not to defend too much, to try and save some energy for when we are attacking," Rooney explained.

"But sometimes you just want to win the ball back and work hard for the team. That is just how I play.

"Maybe it does affect my goals tally, but hopefully I can learn and get better."

Rooney, though, is confident respected Italian coach Capello will find a successful attacking formula, having last night pushed Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard into a more advanced role.

"Of course, we are playing slightly differently with a different formation. We can still learn and do better," said Rooney.

"It does take time to play under a new management team. We have had quite a few friendlies now and hopefully we can get it right."

Rooney added: "Before every big tournament, fans expect a lot of big things from players - and the players desperately want to give them something to be happy about. Hopefully that can come soon.

"No matter what the performances, though, the players always give their all."