The devil is in the detail of the Socceroos' impressive win
St Polten: Don't be fooled by the scoreline, by their own admission the Socceroos are still very much a work in progress.
"I must say that I’m satisfied because when you win 4-0 but we have a long way to go," coach Bert van Marwijk said.
Though if this was the first dry-run just a third of their way through their preparations then there are plenty of reasons to be excited of what's to come. Just 11 days after forming camp, Australia inflicted a record defeat upon the Czech Republic, dishing a 4-0 thrashing in the neutral venue of Austria. The scoreline makes for delightful reading but the overall statistics were far less indicative of their dominance, at least in the traditional sense.
The Socceroos' thumped Czech Republic with fewer passes (483 compared 497), significantly fewer crosses into the box (14 to 24) and with worse accuracy. They had slightly less possession (49 per cent) and less than half as many shots as the Czechs (five to 12). The heat map (where the ball spends its time on the pitch) was blistering red in the Socceroos' defensive third and, looking like a few mosquito bites, just three red dots broke up the bright green attacking third.
In a match prepared specifically for their opening World Cup game against France, it was indicative of how Australia's tactics hinge on winning without controlling the ball for long periods.
"You can also have influence on the game when your opponent has the ball," van Marwijk said.
Being outplayed statistically is likely what will happen when Australia face France. So it is the discipline that the Socceroos showed was most pleasing for van Marwijk.
"The most positive thing is the defensive organisation during the whole game," he said.
They focused on being defensively compact, restricting space, steering a team with their press while striking on the counter. In scoring four times from five shots, Australia showed the importance of timing in attacks rather than constant beration.
The result and performance undoubtedly raised confidence - and perhaps external expectations - while also answering some questions as to who will make the final 23-man squad to be announced by Monday.
Van Marwijk insists no more than "71 per cent" of the squad is already decided. The obvious assured players are; Mile Jedinak, Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Massimo Luongo, Mat Leckie, Robbie Kruse, Brad Jones, Danny Vukovic, Jackson Irvine and Mark Milligan and Aziz Behich.
Probably joining them are central defenders Degenek and Matt Jurman. Andrew Nabbout’s performance against the Czechs, capped by a goal, must certainly assure him of a seat on the plane to Kazan next week. Josh Risdon will likely join him after his impressive showing that was picked out for praise by van Marwijk.
The question remains which 10 players will occupy the last six spots on roster? The most probable in this category is Tim Cahill. Despite the veteran's lack of game time at club level this year, his national team record and off-field leadership role will surely be too hard for van Marwijk to ignore.
Tomi Juric is the frontrunner to claim the last centre-forward spot however he faces a race against the clock due to a knee injury. If he fails to pass late fitness tests, the door will be open for Jamie Maclaren to make a shock inclusion in the World Cup. Only one of the two will make it to Russia.
Perhaps the most open and unpredictable tussle is for the last attacking midfield and wing spots. Four will fight for as few as two positions as Dimitri Petratos, James Troisi, Nikita Rukavytsya and Daniel Arzani will use the final training sessions to stake their claims.
In this battle Troisi's case will rest on his international experience. However versatility and depth could count against him. Likely limited to a central role, he is considered third choice behind Irvine and Rogic.
Petratos is the versatile option and will provide depth across the wings and at no.10 but a lack of exposure with internationals makes him no certainty. Rukavytsya can play on either wing but will likely only play a supporting role if selected. Daniel Arzani is a sublimely promising player and made his debut against Czech Republic but the World Cup could still be too soon for the 19-year-old.
Three defenders will fight for two spots and the picture is still no clearer in this battle after Friday's game. James Meredith, Fran Karacic and Josh Brillante were all left on the sidelines against the Czechs, and at least one of the three will likely be cut from the squad.
Van Marwijk's decision not to test any of the trio indicates that, to some extent, he has already made a decision on their selection. Left back Meredith is the only natural cover for Behich while Croatian-born Karacic is the only right back playing regularly in Europe but remains untested at international level, suggesting van Marwijk's decision may already be determined. Brillante offers versatility and more experience than the other two but the Socceroos may need a specialist rather than utility.