After being left out from the Socceroos first 11 in the 1-1 draw against Iraq last week, Sainsbury made a significant impact during Australia’s 2-0 World Cup Qualification win against the United Arb Emirates last night.

The Inter Milan defender was composed on the ball and his dominance in the air led to an improved performance from the previous qualifier to help revitalise Australia’s campaign for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Sainsbury said the new 3-4-3 formation allowed him make an impact on the contest.

“I felt comfortable,” he said.

“I like to be the one that controls the game and controls the tempo and playing in that system makes it a lot easier to inject myself into the midfield.

“I had two boys working hard either side of me and two boys working hard in front of me and Maty Ryan backing me up, who I knew that was a long way off his goal and that always helps.

“It was good playing in front of the home fans again. The boys looked a lot more solid tonight. Communication was on point which always helps and we got the three points.

“Any system that we play we have to adapt to.  It doesn’t matter what system we play it’s all about the communication.”

Postecoglou said having Sainsbury at the back allowed the team to play their natural game.

“Having somebody there who is comfortable on the ball like Trent or Mark Milligan in the other game, certainly that is where we want to start our play from,” he said.

“Trent was great tonight, and not just his defensive work but he organised the back three really well and he was talking a lot out there, it’s great to see him.”

In January, this year Sainsbury moved from Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning to Italian giants Inter Milan.

However, the Socceroo hadn’t played any football during 2017, and with established defenders ahead him, the 25-year-old hopes to break into the Serie A side ahead of the June qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

“Off the pitch is where I’m going to have to most of my hard work,” he said.

“It’s going to be really hard to get game time at Inter so I’m really going to have to put a lot of hard yards in off the pitch and keep myself fit and available.

“I’ll just continue doing what I’m doing at training and work hard and put my hand up to play at the moment I’m there to be a player for the team and that’s what I’m doing.”

“It’s a lot quicker, obviously than the Chinese League. The training is a lot quicker but at the same time everyone has made me feel very welcome over there so I’m adjusting to it and getting myself settled as become quite easy.”