Socceroos defender Aziz Behich believes a testing experience against a hard-pressing Indonesia will hold Australia in good stead for what awaits them in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.
The Socceroos progressed with a 4-0 victory on Sunday, teeing up a clash with either South Korea or Saudi Arabia, but had to deal with a testing opening half against the world No.146.
Rather than sitting deep, Indonesia threw everything at Australia early, pressing high and aggressively to force turnovers, before using their pace in behind.
"Every game this tournament so far has been a different test," Behich said.
"We've seen the first three games they just sat back in the box and made it difficult for us to get opportunities and then today they did the complete opposite.
"But we knew, as soon as we get that first goal, they're going to have to open up and that's when we can play our football.
"Sometimes in games, especially in tournaments, you've just got to adjust. You don't know what the other team is going to come out with
"Especially after the 20-minute mark, we put our foot on the ball and slowed it down and started getting rhythm again and that obviously set the platform for the second half."
Pressing was a clear tactic from Indonesia - and to an extent, it worked as they had five shots to Australia's one in the first half.
Australia lost the ball in their defensive half 40 times, compared to 28 times by Indonesia, who also had more penalty area entries (23) than the 'Roos (19).
"We play football to win. So I just studied and had thoughts about how we win against Australia rather than just showing a good performance," coach Shin Tae-yong said.
"I thought if we press, then probably we're going to have more opportunities to score. But we didn't finish well."
The Socceroos have conceded just one goal across their opening four games, despite Behich and Harry Souttar being the only constants in that time.
Kye Rowles and Cam Burgess have rotated while coach Graham Arnold hasn't settled on a starting right-back, with Gethin Jones injured against Indonesia.
"When you come into tournaments, clean sheets win you championships and it's going to be no different," Behich said.
"We'll analyse this game and see what we can work on. But for us as a back four, it's just about keeping clean sheets as much as possible.
"There's competition in every spot, so everyone wants to keep their spot.
"We've chopped and changed but it hasn't changed our game plan or the way we want to play at all."
