Australian coach Ange Postecoglou has raised plenty of eyebrows with his demands for the Socceroos to not just qualify for the World Cup but to become serious players when they secure a place at the top table of the global game.
That means not just winning the odd match, or putting up a plucky losing effort against some of the most successful nations the sport has seen, but consistently competing, and beating, the best. 
For a country of Australia's population and with the number of youngsters playing the game it's a huge ask, at least at the moment.
Soccer's participation numbers are consistently growing, particularly in the women's game, and more and more boys are preferring the sport to Australian rules and the rugby codes.
However, there is nothing like the critical mass that successful countries such as Brazil, Italy, Argentina and Germany enjoy, so Postecoglou is on a hiding to nothing with his challenging call not just to his players, but himself.
Still, as the coach would point out, if you don't set lofty goals and have high expectations, how is anyone else going to believe in you - and how can you really hope to succeed?
He knows that the key to sustained success is having a squad that bristles with depth and provides plenty of alternatives.
The Asian Cup-winning mentor does not just want a good starting XI. Listen to him talk, and it sounds as if what he really wants is two, or maybe even three, groups of players capable of functioning as a starting XI.
It is typical of the way Postecoglou approaches his job. 
For him, simply qualifying for a World Cup is not the be all and end all. It certainly brings no guarantees of job security. As he pointed out before the win over Tajikistan in Adelaide on Thursday night, the last coach, Holger Osieck, got the Socceroos to Brazil but when the time came to go to the big show he had been sacked and Postecoglou appointed in his place.
Postecoglou has developed a national team approach designed to exert maximum pressure on opponents and to take the game to rival teams, no matter who they are or where they are.
His Australia play with power, pace and pressure, and try to move the ball quickly, harass and close down rivals and deny them space and time to play, preferably in their own half.
Against Tajikistan it hardly mattered, given the huge disparity in ability between the two teams, evidenced enough by a 7-0 scoreline that could have really been doubled.
What did matter was the way the coach was able to further refine his squad and add to its depth, with two players in particular, debutant Apostolos Giannou up front and left-back Brad Smith, impressing with their workrate and contribution.
Postecoglou knows that the striking roles, in particular, are a cause for concern with veteran Tim Cahill still the most reliable route to goal. Great as Cahill is, he cannot carry on for ever. Tomi Juric is often injured, so to see Giannou get a chance and play a significant role with several assists in this game was heartening.
The coach has also been upfront about his concerns in the full-back positions, so the arrival of Liverpool youngster Smith (along with ex-Sydney teenager Alex Gersbach and Melbourne Victory defender Jason Geria) is timely.
Postecoglou was upbeat about Giannou's contribution.
"It's not just his first game, it's his first time with us. He has had two sessions with the team. He worked awfully hard, which we expect of our players, and he got himself in good positions, just missing a goal," Postecoglou said after the game..
"He had a couple of opportunities to score, which I know he will be disappointed about, but as a first outing we were not expecting anything too grand. But he contributed and contributed for 90 minutes, which is the most important thing.
"We gave opportunities to some guys who I think showed they can be a part of it even though the game wasn't very demanding or challenging.
"Brad Smith acquitted himself well ... Massimo Luongo and Aaron Mooy continue to grow as midfielders at international level, and you have Burnsy and Leckie [Nathan Burns and Mat Leckie] who are really dangerous.
"With that in mind, knowing that I have got guys like [Robbie] Kruse, [Tom] Rogic and [Mark] Milligan, [Tim] Cahill and [Matt] McKay, all these guys who are on the bench, that's the point we want to get to. I think we just need to keep giving opportunities to guys so we have a really good, strong squad we can call on at any time.
"I thought [Brad Smith] was good, I thought him and Ryan [McGowan] did their job really well as full-backs. We expect our full-backs not just to defend but to get forward, we expect them to create opportunities for us. Both worked hard and did that. I am sure Brad will grow from that. He has a great left foot, he's quick, he just needs a bit more experience."
No better example of that interchangeability he is seeking was on show in the second half, when captain Mile Jedinak made way for Milligan at the interval.
"I could throw on Milligan without batting an eyelid. Millsy came in, took the armband, took the penalty and took over where Mile left off.
"It's not about winning games or finishing top of the group, it's about our manner and growth as a team. I thought we played some really good football, played our style of game, literally didn't let them out of their half and apart from some sloppy finishing, we were very professional.
"Regardless of the line-up I put out there on Tuesday night [against Jordan] we are going to be strong. Some good players didn't play [against Tajikistan], some good players came off the bench. That's what I want ... I want to know that every game we can give everything we can in that 90 minutes and know that if guys can't come up for the second game that's no problem, that we have guys who can step in. I still think Tuesday night is another opportunity to throw some in there and we will."
Giannou, who could so easily have played for Greece, was delighted with the choice he had made.
"I am very happy, I was talking to Timmy after the game, that's what I told him as well. I am very happy with the whole team, they have been very friendly since day one. I felt very comfortable, as if I had been here for a while. It's very important and the guys are amazing."