“Once you arrive in the host city, you may only get one official session on that actual pitch,” explained Maloney, who’s been with the Malaysian FA for five years and is well-respected in Malaysian football.

“Training pitches are governed by the hosts, so you don’t really have a choice of where and when you’re going to train.”

It’s unclear if the Olyroos will train more than once on this pitch before their opener, which is set for an 8pm kick off with their following two matches at 5pm.

And it’s crucial to start well because of the way the qualification process is governed. The Olyroos must top AFC Group H or at least finish a very strong second to have any hope of qualifying.

Only the best four of 11 second-placed nations across Asia will progress with seven second-placed nations missing out.

It will be a tight squeeze.

Australia must hope to win their two games over Cambodia and Chinese Taipei and at least get a draw against the Korea Republic to have a chance of progressing.

Those nations that progress will meet in Thailand in January 2020, where the final four countries that make the semi-finals will book their place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

If there’s any consolation, the talented Koreans could also struggle on this surface.

But can this Australian group – which is still gelling as a group – do enough to get a result this Friday night?

One person taking the threat of the Cambodians seriously is Olyroos coach Graham Arnold, who was impressed with the Angkor Warriors during last month’s AFC tournament.

The Olyroos departed Kuala Lumpur for Phnom Penh earlier today after a week-long camp that included a 2-0 loss to a Malaysian Super League side and a 1-1 draw with Maloney’s Malaysia on Sunday night.

With some double-sessions in the heat, the players should be physically prepared.

“You can’t underestimate the Cambodians,” warned Maloney, whose side was beaten 1-0 by Cambodia last month after Malaysia suffered a second-half red card.

“This Cambodian team plays together quite a bit. They are used to playing on that type of surface and in those weather conditions so it’ll be difficult to overcome.

"Plus that stadium, when they have an official home game it’s not unusual to have a sellout 50,000 in the stadium and another 5-10,000 fans on the outside of the stadium.

“You’re up against a lot of factors."