We should be incredibly proud of this Caltex Socceroo team. And we still haven't seen them at their peak.
Make no mistake, this was a huge three points.
Australian's 1-0 win over UAE proved their world's best practice preparation off the pitch - and quality on the pitch - are a potent combination.
Super-sub Cahill wins it for the Caltex Socceroos
In such heat - around 35 degrees - and after a long trip from Perth, you could be excused for thinking the Socceroos may've struggled to cope. Not chance.
After all the talk about UAE's stunning win in Saitama last week, they were blunted by an Australian team that asked all the questions and drained them of their energy - and will - by dominating possession to keep them running all night.
Little wonder the usual composed Mahdi Ali looked the most frustrated man in the stadium in the UAE dugout.
After a nervy opening in front of a big crowd (given free entry) in Abu Dhabi, the Socceroos showed they have the potent combination of technical quality and fighting spirit.
Australia used the ball well to keep UAE running and chasing the ball, and the hosts in the end couldn’t match the physical challenge.
As Ange Postecoglou said after the game, his players and coaching staff could see that the hosts were struggling to keep up.
And Cahill, well, he remains the talisman. He comes on and gives every Socceroo a lift. And for the opposition, he remains a nightmare.
To still have him at this level is testament to the man himself and the belief he has in the Ange system which is continuing to challenge him as a footballer.
He can dream of a fourth World Cup.
This remains an excellent UAE team who in Omar Abdulrahman have a superb playmaker. But they were out-gunned by an Australian team that’s supremely well prepared, tactically mature and increasingly confident in their ability to tackle any situation.
Saudi and Japan are next for the Socceroos. And both nations should be fearful.
This Australian team are only going to get stronger, fitter and better under Ange Postecoglou.