The Olyroos will be without three key players going into their final group game against Egypt but coach Graham Arnold is adamant they've got the depth to cope.
In Australia's late 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday night, star trio Riley McGree, Mitch Duke and Nathaniel Atkinson all picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament meaning they will be suspended for the next match.
The three players had started both of the Olyroos group games to date with Duke claiming an assist in their 2-0 win over Argentina and Atkinson putting in a masterclass performance at right-back against Spain.
Arnold was allowed to name an extended 22-man squad for the Olympics and he'll now look to call on those extra numbers ahead of a crunch game against Egypt.
"We’ve got depth and fresh players ready to go. We’ve shown in the past we can play different systems, different players and we’ve got plenty of depth so you can’t look at the negatives, I look at the positives," Arnold said in a post-match press conference.
"Ok, three players are suspended but they will be ready for the quarter-finals.
"I’m very, very proud of the players and performance. It was a fantastic effort against an obviously very good football nation and team in Spain. I thought we did exceptionally well.
"We’re sitting here today with qualification in our own hands so it’s all up to us. We’re not relying on someone else having to beat someone else.
"I thought we defended fantastic, we can do better with the ball of course, and we will improve on that.
"I’ve got no complaints at all, I’m extremely proud of the boys and again we have everything in our own hands. We’ll keep smiling and enjoying this experience."
Substitutes Nicholas D'Agostino, Caleb Watts and Kye Rowles all loom as possible replacements for the suspended trio when the Olyroos face Egypt on Wednesday night.
A draw would be enough for Australia to secure their place in the next round with the nation currently sitting second in Group C on goal difference.
Olyroos skipper Thomas Deng was kept busy in defence against Spain but believes the challenging contest was invaluable for the squad moving forward.
"Tonight was a great experience. For many of us players we’ve never played against a top opposition like tonight," Deng said.
"We will grow from this and learn from it and pick ourselves up and go again for the next match."