The Australian team was given a level of security usually reserved for visiting heads of state or the Bangladesh Prime Minister after fears the players could be the target of militant attacks.
Smothered by a massive security blanket that numbered more than 100 armed policemen and officers before kick-off, it was a different story once the match began. The Socceroos not taking long to break down the Bangladeshi defences. A free kick by captain Mile Jedinak gave Australia's leading marksman all the ammunition he needed, as heard on SBS.
"Cahill looking for his 43rd international goal and there is the opener and it is that man, Tim Cahill. He didn't have to wait long did he ? 1-nil Australia in the sixth minute."
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The second took a little longer to manufacture but the scorer was the same.
"Cahill was there, he and Burns almost got in each other's way. Cahill tried to dig it out eventually its gone in and Tim Cahill has a second. Bangladesh don't like it, but Cahill has doubled Australia's lead."
And having missed a couple of easy chances late on in the last match against Kyrgyzstan, Cahill made no mistake when the influential Aaron Mooy gave him an easy tap in for a first half hat-trick.
It wasn't entirely the Cahill show though, with Mile Jedinak showing a nose for goal, nodding in from close range to effective end the contest.
"Bailey Wright gets on the end of it and Mile Jedinak with a tap in, and Australia are out of sight."
You could forgive Australia for taking the foot off the gas after such an impressive first half, and that's just the way it played out.
Tommy Oar replaced Massimo Luongo for the second period, while James Troisi's introduction allowed Mooy to have a rest.
Bangladesh also showed more fight in the second half and there were no more goals scored in the match.
Coach Ange Postecoglou is feeling lucky.
"You know with the unusual build-up we had arriving last night, I think it all just took its toll and it got a bit scrappy in the second half, which wasn't great. But thankfully they all got through it you know with nothing major happening and we get the win."
With two home matches to come in March, making the next phase of World Cup qualification now appears a formality.
