A Tim Cahill header was the source of the equaliser after 14 minutes, moments after the visitors opened their account through Ayanda Patosi.
Ange Postecoglou had a good look at many of the youngsters who will star for him in their first finals campaign, and optimists will have been impressed by the speed on the break of the likes of Tommy Oar and the lambasting runs of Matthew Leckie.
But it’s Matthew Ryan, the goalkeeper, who is tipped to get the toughest workout in Brazil when the Socceroos play Chile in their opener in a fortnight.
Those in front of him in defence are looking decidedly fragile too, with captain Mile Jedinak rested after a tough Premier League campaign and Curtis Good given a rest to nurse niggles.
For the first goal Alex Wilkinson and Ivan Franjic were caught napping as Tokelo Rantie ran straight through the Socceroos before Patosi slotted home.
While looking dangerous at times going forward the counter will be the Aussies’ primary source of attack in Brazil, but finding an incisive final ball against world class defences such as Holland and Spain may be too much to ask.
Cahill’s goal was a vintage effort from the New York Red Bulls striker, climbing higher and with more intent than his markers after a looping cross from Oar.
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