It was always going to be a telling encounter and Australia's 4-0 win over Czech Republic on Friday has all but cemented who will and who won't be included in the Socceroos World Cup squad.
With coach Bert van Marwijk set to cut four players from his preliminary squad on June 4 (AEST), the Dutchman said he was 90 percent certain of his side post-game.
A number of strong performances from players that were fighting for a spot and the complete exclusion of others suggests Australia's 23-man squad is all but set.
Here's who Goal is predicting will miss the cut.
Fran Karacic
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The Croatian-based defender has never stepped foot in Australia and was denied a Socceroos debut against the Czechs.
Rated highly by assistant Ante Milicic, the right back was expected to challenge Josh Risdon for the right back spot but reports from camp in Turkey suggests he has failed to impress.
Risdon was retained at right back in Austria and put in a strong performance before being replaced by Milos Degenek.
Not only did Risdon impress enough to make the starting spot his own, van Marwijk's choice of replacement in Degenek, who is more accustomed to the centre of defence, suggests Karacic won't be selected for Russia.
Josh Brillante
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Wasn't given any minutes across friendlies in March and again missed out in Austria, the signs aren't good for Josh Brillante.
Listed as a defender, Brillante like Karacic, was overlooked to replace Risdon at right back, a position that seemed to be his only hope of making it to the World Cup.
Though playing as a midfielder for Sydney FC, the 25-year-old stands next to no chance of breaking into the Socceroos midfield and will likely be seen as a third choice in a number of positions making him particularly expendable for Russia.
Jamie Maclaren
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One of six cut from van Marwijk's 26-man squad, Maclaren was brought back in as cover for Tomi Juric and got half an hour of action against Czech Republic.
Though far from a bad performance, the 24-year-old didn't stand out in his brief cameo with Juric and Andrew Nabbout clearly more suited to the system van Marwijk hopes to deploy in Russia.
Juric appears to be recovering well from his knee injury and only another set back for the Swiss-based striker would likely see Maclaren taken to Russia.
A talented forward in his own right that was in terrific club form, Maclaren hasn't done anything wrong but simply doesn't appear to be part of van Marwijk's World Cup plans.
James Troisi or Nikita Rukavytsya
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Both these midfielders didn't see a minute of action in Austria and were only used as substitutes in March.
Though winning an A-League championship with Melbourne Victory, Troisi had a mixed season on a personal level for Victory while Rukavytsya looked better for Maccabi Haifa scoring ten goals across 32 appearances.
As a central midfielder, Troisi arguably faces stiffer competition for a spot with Tom Rogic, Massimo Luongo and Daniel Arzani all vying for minutes as Australia's sole attacking central midfielder in van Marwijk's current formation.
While winger Rukavytsya must contend with Mathew Leckie, who scored a double on Friday, Robbie Kruse, Daniel Arzani, Nabbout and Dimitri Petratos for a spot on the Socceroos flanks.
Kruse started as Australia's left winger against the Czechs and though grabbing an assist didn't completely impress, opening the door up for another winger to stake their claim against Hungary.
Petratos got 17 minutes of action on Friday and was heavily involved in March friendlies suggesting his spot in the squad should be safe.
Young gun Arzani meanwhile got his Socceroos debut against Czech Republic and looms as a wild card van Marwijk simply must take to Russia.
Leaving it between Troisi and Rukavytsya as the likely final candidates to cruelly miss out on World Cup selection.
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