This was the clearest sign to emerge from the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan in Dushanbe.
The Socceroos won 3-0 and the scoreline truly reflected the disparity in class, fitness and temperament of the two teams.
Tajikistan was less accommodating than bungling Bangladesh a few days earlier in Perth, but once the Socceroos got their triangles going in the second half there was never any doubt as to the outcome of the match.
Australia dominated the game territorially from start to finish but it struggled to get the better of the dour Tajikistan defenders in the first period.
Ange Postecoglou opted for a flexible 4-3-3 that sometimes looked like a 4-4-2.
Cahill was up front with Mathew Leckie and Massimo Luongo, with both 'wingers' playing in a free role, often exchanging positions and coming inside.
Leckie is at his best when he finds space on the wing in which to unleash his blistering pace and Luongo is obviously better suited to the jobs usually associated with the middle areas.
The front line did not function properly in the first half and Cahill later remarked that he hardly touched the ball.
A proper 4-3-3 with two orthodox wingers might be the answer.
Which is where young Tommy Oar comes in.
The new Ipswich Town signing is a genuine winger, who loves nothing more than taking men on and playing crosses into the box.
When he came on with 12 minutes left in the game he left his mark with a trademark cross that landed right on Cahill's forehead.
The Shanghai Shenhua star did the rest with a superb header - his 41st goal for his country.
It was the simplest of moves that showed Australia's attacking potential.
Another substitute, Nathan Burns, also illustrated the value of modern wing play by playing a part in Australia's second goal.
The Tokyo FC man won the ball, came inside and played in Ryan McGowan with a delightful pass into space and the Dundee United fullback laid on Cahill's first goal with a low cross that cut out the Tajikistan defence.
Different teams present different challenges and require different measures.
However the two Cahill goals showed what damage Australia can cause when two specialist wingers or overlapping fullbacks can provide the free-scoring hero with a steady silver service.
Attacking fullbacks McGowan and Jason Davidson, who both did well in Dushanbe, proved they can do the job of serving Cahill as well.
