Fresh off a 1-1 draw with Brazil in Townsville on Friday, defender Alessandro Circati has detailed the mindset shift as they prepare to tussle again in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"Play out a little bit more, be a bit more brave, breaking their press, and you know maybe risking a pass more instead of just playing that safe option," he said of coach Tony Popovic's instruction.
The Socceroos led thanks to a brilliant Nestory Irankunda free kick, before Brazil salvaged something with a goal from a corner on the last play of the game.
The hosts played with authority and confidence against the full-strength Brazil squad and were clearly unhappy with a draw.
Circati thinks his recent move - from Parma in Italy's Seria A to Benfica in Portugal - plus those of other national teammates has done wonders to the side's belief.
Good mate Irankunda has joined Primeira Liga rivals Sporting CP while Lucas Herrington is playing big minutes for Premier League outfit Hull and goalkeeper Patrick Beach's World Cup exposure saw him snapped up by Troyes in France.
"For sure, something's changed," Circati said.
"We've all gone to bigger clubs, so it's normal that you know you're a bit more confident.
"It can be linked, but ... the boss did specify what he wanted from us, and we just had to put that on show. It all starts from him."
Circati acknowledged the tedious nature of securing the five-year Benfica deal worth a reported $33 million that was eventually confirmed in August.
He played the entire game in his starting debut earlier this month, against AC Milan at the San Siro in a 2-0 Europa League win.
"There was a lot of talks ... maybe this, maybe that, not this, not that, moving only if other players move," he said.
"And then I was in the car driving back from the beach (in Perth), get a call saying that we're going to have to move to Lisbon if I wanted to.
"When I got all the details ... I was very eager but clearly it wasn't all in my hands ... so I just had to sit down, wait, and hope for the best."
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