The Olyroos have had a major confidence boost less than a week before their opening match at the Olympics, with a 1-0 win over South Africa at Melbourne's Bob Jane Stadium.
Midfielder Jason Culina - who replaced Vince Grella in the starting line-up - netted the only goal just eight minutes into the match, as the Australians notched up their second victory in 48 hours, following Tuesday's 3-0 win over Kuwait.
The goal resulted from the Olyroos' best move of the match, when a combination of passes between Kasey Wehrman, Michael Curcija and Marco Bresciano found Culina who guided the ball in from just inside the penalty area.
From then on chances were scarce for the Olyroos, especially in the second half, but their defence, which had looked shaky against minnows Kuwait, looked far more secure.
Steve Laybutt and Lucas Neill put in fine games even though they were occasionally troubled by South Africa's star striker Benny McCarthy, who plays with Celta Vigo in the prestigious Spanish Premier League.
While the scoreline might not have been as emphatic as two nights ago it was a superior performance against far better opposition.
The Olyroos' first group match is against European champion Italy at the MCG next Wednesday, although this game gave them more of a taste of what to expect when they come up against Nigeria later in the tournament.
The South Africans, who are not rated as highly as the reigning Olympic champions, troubled Australia with their pace particularly when substitute Jabu Pule came onto the field with devastating effect in the 56th minute.
Pule came perilously close to setting up an equaliser for the visitors with just four minutes remaining but Daniel Matsay smashed his superb pass against the crossbar.
South Africa, which is grouped in the Olympics with tournament favourite Brazil as well as Slovakia and Japan, showed enough to suggest it will be a contender for at least a quarter-final berth.
And it will be further strengthened shortly by the arrival of star winger Quinton Fortune, who scored two goals for Manchester United in their mid-week win over Bradford in the English Premier League.
However, the Australians were also far below full strength still missing the likes of key defenders Hayden Foxe and Con Blatsis, who were rested due to minor injuries as well as their two best players in Mark Viduka and Josip Skoko.
They will both arrive here tomorrow after playing for their European clubs mid-week.
Before the match, the Olyroos were rocked by further injury news before the game when goalkeeper Joe Didulica was ruled out of the Olympic tournament due to a shin injury.
Didulica was replaced in the squad by 19-year-old Marconi keeper Michael Turnbull but he is expected to only be the back-up to the number one keeper Danny Milosevic, who again performed well.