It was hard not to think ahead to Saturday night's decider barely 15 minutes after kick-off in Newcastle on Tuesday night. The match was already over. Australia were 2-0 up and weren't so much cruising as steamrolling. Heads up: Trent Sainsbury celebrates after scoring the opening goal. Credit:Darren Pateman The United Arab Emirates were shocked. Brutally. Out on their feet before the end of normal time against Japan five days prior, they were hoping to absorb Australia's best efforts on the Hunter. But their marking for the opening goal, a header from Trent Sainsbury after just three minutes, was deplorable. Maybe they were too conscious of Tim Cahill. Either way, Sainsbury jumped, met the ball, and Australia were on their way. Just like that. Another goal to Jason Davidson, one of Australia's best on the night, iced the game - with 75 minutes still to play. It enabled Australia's coaches to start planning for what happens next. They probably even had time to check-in on Andy Murray's masterclass.

Cahill played an hour before getting his rest, meaning he'll be fresh for the home-town finale. How desperate will he be there? Mark Milligan, who came in for Mark Bresciano, was rotated off for Matt McKay. Massimo Luongo in action for the Socceroos. Credit:Brendan Esposito There must have been a temptation take off Ivan Franjic, who has played every second at right-back. But the final change was taking Robbie Kruse off for James Troisi. With ten minutes to play, Franjic clutched his groin. Not a good sight. In contrast, Hunter Stadium looked a treat. The stands, filled to capacity, were coloured yellow to the last seat. But the 21,079 fans who came appeared to want to be entertained, rather than wanting to lift the team. Powerful: Mathew Leckie. Credit:Brendan Esposito

After the sound and noise of South Korean and Iraqi fans the night before, this was far more sedate. The Socceroos deserved better. They'll get a raucous crowd for the final but the FFA needs to re-visit the issue before the World Cup qualifiers begin later this year. There was a telling moment after 12 minutes when Kruse tip-toed ever so quietly behind Omar Abdulrahman and pinched the ball from the Emirati star completely unawares. Only a moment, yes, but an insight into how attuned Australia was. Abdulrahman was still the player most capable for the losers. He pokes, pushes and prods with the best of them. If he doesn't go and play in Europe, sadly, most foreigners will only see him in international tournaments. His talents deserve a weekly international audience. The UAE competed in patches as the first half wore on but not nearly enough. Ahmed Khalil hit the post while the game was still up for grabs yet rarely did the stadium tremor in fear. He also speared a fine attempt early in the second half, a speculative effort that flashed wide. But the main reason they couldn't get into the game was due to Australia's insatiable, collective enthusiasm.