Aiden O'Neill will seize his first crack at world champions Argentina as an opportunity to cement his spot in the Socceroos' midfield.
The 24-year-old starred for Melbourne City this season was rewarded for his stellar A-League Men form with a maiden senior call-up and debut against Ecuador in Sydney in March.
With Jackson Irvine and Aaron Mooy missing from the squad, Thursday night's match is a golden opportunity for O'Neill to shine in Thursday's friendly at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing.
"It's a big opportunity for us all," O'Neill told reporters.
"There's a few boys missing.
"We'll all be looking to take that opportunity and show Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) and show Australia that we're ready to take that step and move forward."
O'Neill wasn't even capped when Australia's heroic golden run in Qatar was brought to a halt by Argentina in the round of 16.
"Football can move very, very fast," he said.
"You work hard all your life and I was very fortunate and lots of hard work to get that first opportunity and now I've got another one, I'll be giving everything to do my absolute best.
"It's very exciting to be playing top players. That's what we dream of doing as kids - testing yourself against people that are playing in the best leagues in the world."
O'Neill started his career in the English Premier League before returning to Australia.
Europe-bound after his stint at City, he didn't expect to be fazed by big names like Lionel Messi or new Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister.
"I don't think I've ever altered my game in football, so I'll be approaching it the same way I approach every game," he said.
"Yeah, there might be some bigger names in the game, but I made my debut in the Premier League and I played against some very big names there and I didn't change the way I went about it.
"I don't think I'll do a number on anyone. But if there's a 50-50 tackle, whoever it is, I don't think I'm the type of person to think 'oh, I'm gonna pull out of this, it's Mac Allister or Messi'.
"I'll be doing what I do and, just playing with a smile and having fun and taking it as it comes."
