While Australia have an easier group than when they faced might of Chile, 2010 World Cup Finalist, Holland and then reigning champions Spain at the Brazil World Cup, Russia 2018 looms as a challenge in itself.

The Socceroos group featuring tournament favourites France, the Scandinavian strength of Denmark and South American skill of Peru is arguably one of the toughest tasks Australia has faced at a World Cup.

All teams are ranked in the top 15 and Slater is under no illusion how diffuclt the challenge will be for the Socceroos over the coming 12 days.

“It’s going to be superhuman to get out of the group,” he said speaking to FourFourTwo.

“There are very low expectations because of the circumstances we found ourselves in the last six months.

“To be honest we limped over the line in the qualifying and we needed to play matches against Syria and Honduras to get to the World Cup.

“The situation wasn’t helped with Ange Postecoglou obviously leaving and Bert van Marwijk taking over for a very short time effectively for just the World Cup.

“So, the expectations are somewhat similar to Brazil where anything we get out of the group is going to be a surprise.”

Slater also scoffed at suggestions that meeting tournament favourites France first up makes the challenge for the Socceroos any easier.

“I keep on hearing all the time that the French are slow starters,” he said.

“Well they won’t want to be slow starters. We should not be counting on that.

“A win would be out of this world; the draw is a dream result and if you were to lose you don’t want to lose badly.”

“Denmark and Peru are very good opponents - yes of course it’s possible to get points off them - but they are thinking the same thing as us.

“We are the weakest side in the group by some way and people should not be fooled into anything else. The rankings tell you this.”

“We are in a group where three of the teams are ranked no lower than 12th so they are all formidable opposition.”

But despite the reality check Slater still holds out hope that Australia will put on a strong performance in Russia.

“First and foremost we have to remember we are at the World Cup. We are there which is great,” he said.

“I would say to people this will be a very good team and Van Marwijk will have the team very well organised.

“It always is possible. But really to get out of this group there is a lot quality in it and it’s going to be a very, very tough ask.”

“The fact is that we are what we are, we don’t have world class players, we are up against world class players so I don’t know what the fans expectations is.”