It's good for the ego, not bad for the goal difference, and helps improve fitness.

But did Ange Postecoglou, the Socceroos coach, really learn much from Thursday night's demolition of a pitifully outclassed Bangladesh at Perth's nib Stadium?

It is tempting to say "not a lot".

But that's not how the coach saw it, suggesting afterwards that he was able to take plenty from a performance that brought his side its second win in succession in World Cup qualifiers ahead of a difficult trip to Tajikistan for what will surely prove to be a tougher encounter on Tuesday evening

This was a game that was always going to be a foregone conclusion, notwithstanding the ill will that was generated in the lead up because of the players union's row with the FFA and the way Postecoglou was dragged into that.

But to their credit Australia approached the match with power and purpose, determined to put it to bed as soon as possible.

There were plenty of positives, particularly the displays of Tom Rogic and Matthew Leckie, and the purposeful work down the flanks of the fullbacks Tarek Elrich and Jason Davidson, who got forward at every opportunity - as might have been expected against opponents who defended so deep they were often all on the edge of their penalty area.

Rogic is a player who has tantalised in the past. An enormous talent, his workrate has sometimes been called into question, while the fragility of his body has meant that he has broken down at critical times.

It was that susceptibility to injury which cost him a spot at the World Cup in Brazil, so the fact that he has now got himself back into shape and is playing more regularly for club side Celtic is a big boost for Postecoglou, who can now factor the tall, skilful midfielder into his plans more often.

Admittedly the opposition was poor, but Rogic was a standout in a first half in which he scored twice and was at the heart of most of Australia's best attacks.

Leckie has been criticised for his lack of goals in green and gold - only one in 25 appearances before the Bangladesh game. But he opened the scoring in Perth, and showed Tim Cahill-like qualities as he led the line during a first half when Australia scored four times without reply to ensure the contest was over long before the final whistle.

Leckie's ability to hang in the air and get his head to crosses evoked some comparison with his illustrious teammate, and his prodigious drive and workrate up front makes him a key component of the side, as Postecoglou acknowledged after the match.

"Leckie is really important to us. He looked dangerous. For the things we measure as a team he's been a really important part of what we do because he works so hard in an attacking and defensive sense. He's always a threat," the coach said.

"He is one of the most disciplined in his role. He knows what he needs to do in his position and he does it all the time."

Postecoglou had little truck with any suggestion that such an easy victory taught him little or nothing about his players.

"I think you learn about the players' mindset [from such a match].

"It could have been easy to go out there and try and get some cheap goals and do things on an individual basis. We had a physical advantage and could have tried to use that to win the game.

"But it just goes to show that the players are really focused and whilst there were easier avenues for them they preferred to try and do things our way. From our perspective it's another step forward.

"It's difficult sometimes when games are stopped for what seems like minutes. People recover from injuries but it's hard to get a rhythm. Players maintained their discipline for the most part, which was pleasing."

The travel and conditions mean the Tajikistan fixture will be another kettle of fish. The match will be played on an artificial surface, unlike the pristine Perth pitch, and the temperatures will be much higher.

"They [the away games] are all tough, all the away games are tricky. There are football challenges and other ones too. The game will be played on an artificial pitch. The first game in Kyrgysztan gave us a really good idea of what to expect."

This squad, the coach insists, is still a work in progress and he expects it to change significantly during the next couple of years as he builds for a World Cup campaign in Russia in 2018.

Key players like Cahill (36 next December) and even captain Mile Jedinak (just turned 31) are no certainties to be around in three years' time, so the likes of Rogic, Massimo Luongo, Matt Spiranovic at the back and Leckie up front, along with Robbie Kruse, will have increasingly important roles to play.

"Our challenge is to not think a certain group of players will take us forward. In two years' time the team needs to be at a different level than it is now. We will continue to look at players.

"We are looking at a team that is continually evolving until we get to a place where we feel we can challenge the best in the world."