Socceroos coaching No.2 Ante Milicic believes that the national team can come through a difficult but by no means impossible group and make its presence felt in Russia by progressing to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
"We will treat all opponents with respect, but these games, we will have a focus on what we can do," Milicic declared after a draw ceremony which pitted Australia against former World Cup winners France, former European champions Denmark, and Peru, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1982.
"We believe in ourselves. This group believes they can put a good performance in in all three games consistently to achieve our goal, which is to get out of the group ... it's a difficult group [but] we believe in ourselves and definitely [can] advance, progress from the group."
France, as the first opponent and the highest ranked (they are world No.9, with Peru No.11 and Denmark No.12), will be the initial focus.
"They came up short in the Euros, which they hosted in 2016 losing at home to Portugal. They are a youthful looking team, without mentioning key players, and particularly in that front third they have got a lot of different options," Milicic said.
"It's not just a strong team, it's a strong squad. They are probably one of the favourites for the tournament.
"Peru we will get to have a closer look at now. Even though they just came through the qualification game play-off with New Zealand we don't underestimate teams that come from that region, especially when you know how hard it is to get in that top four or top five as they did. They are really known for their fighting spirit.
"Denmark [is] probably a little bit more unpredictable, another team that went through the play-off, but with Christian Eriksen in that side they have got one of the form players in the world."
Australia's aim will be to get something out of their opening games against France and the Danes and stay alive to give themselves a chance of going through when they face Peru in their final match.
"It's normal you want to be alive when it comes to the last game," Milicic said.
"I think we have built a great deal of depth now in the squad and to be successful at these tournaments, that's what you need to progress with playing such a high-class opposition, high-tempo games.
"We've grown as a team. Not only in terms of our squad but when you look at the players that are now playing regularly in Europe, a lot of those players that have been successful for us have added 20 caps to their experience. That means a lot."
While qualifying through Asia and the intercontinental play-offs was nerve wracking for Socceroo fans, Milicic says that with hindsight those tough games were a bonus for team spirit and mentality.
"Those sudden-death games against Syria and Honduras, that's an extra four quality games with sudden-death situations with pressure involved in those games and the team did well so I'd like to think we're in good shape."
The lack of a head coach at present will not compromise preparations, he says.
"We just carry on working doing our roles as normal. Preparation will start. Scouting will start. The sports science will do their part as well. We'll just keep on working as normal, gathering all the information as we can.
"When the head coach is announced they'll look over the work we've done. We want to at least put ourself in the position where there's been lot of information gathered and we can go from there. Now that we know who the opponents are and what cities as well, we'll do our work and other little decisions will be made from there."
