A below-strength Australia was served a taste of the challenge that lay ahead when held to a scoreless draw by a stubborn United Arab Emirates in its final AFC Asian Cup tune-up.
Australia coach Holger Osieck opted to rest big guns Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton, Jason Culina and Mark Schwarzer for the friendly, taking a chance to test out the bulk of his squad.
But it wasn't easy going for a host of fringe players, with Australia failing to break down its opponent despite a decent pitch and favourable conditions in UAE's garden city.
Australia could have come away with a win after captain Lucas Neill found the back of the net in the 57th minute only for the goal to be somewhat-harshly ruled out with centre-back partner Sasa Ognenovski adjudged offside in the build-up.
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UAE also had its chances for victory, forcing some good late saves out of debutant Nathan Coe while Fares Juma hit the post late with a powerful long-range shot.
Osieck handed starts to the likes of Nathan Burns and Matt McKay while Coe and Robbie Kruse made their debuts when they were introduced after half-time.
Tommy Oar and Neil Kilkenny also got some game time and while none set the world on fire, Osieck was pleased with how they responded to the challenge.
"I took the opportunity to give some game time to players that were not necessarily starters or they haven't been starters in previous games and I think they really took the opportunity very well," Osieck said.
"I was happy with that and I gained a lot of impressions from that."
Neill was typically sound at the back, while Mile Jedinak and Carl Valeri did a good job of controlling possession in the first half but Osieck admitted Australia's front third still needed work.
The German kept faith in Scott McDonald, who led the line with a hard-working Brett Holman in behind, but the Middlesbrough striker again had no joy in front of goal to remain scoreless after 21 games for his country.
Australia's best chance of the first half fell to McKay in the 22nd minute from a sweet lay-off from McDonald, but the Brisbane Roar midfielder fired his first-time shot over the bar.
The impressive McKay was also involved in the second half flashing a header just wide in the dying minutes but the best Australia could muster otherwise was a handful of half-chances.
"It was a decent hitout," defender Luke Wilkshire said.
"The camp's just begun and we've got to work our way into the game against India.
Coe, who came on after half-time for Brad Jones as Osieck assessed his back-up keeping options, made several good reaction saves in a strong second-half performance as UAE mounted some late pressure.
Australia will head to Doha on Thursday to finalise preparations for the tournament.
