DENMARK v AUSTRALIA

Tomorrow, Samara Arena, 10pm

“There’s an immense atmosphere of positivity,” striker Tomi Juric said. “The way we played was fantastic. We can take that forward into Denmark and Peru . . . I’m positive of getting out of this group.”

Much of that is down to van Marwijk’s team.

The 66-year-old has used his experience to assemble a backroom staff catering to every need.

In all, 10 Dutch staff have been added to the existing infrastructure, bringing the support team to 34 in Russia.

Mark van Bommel, Jurgen Dirkx, Roel Coumans and Ante Milicic are assistants to van Marwijk, with a dedicated physio team, strength and conditioning team.

Centre-back Trent Sainsbury called the squad Australia’s “background banditos”.

The glue that works around the more rigid coaching elements is Mile Sterjovski. The Socceroos striker and 2006 World Cup attendee’s title is “player adviser”, acting as the shoulder to cry on, the wise head to call on or the mediator when things get heated.

“My role is basically to advise the players and to make sure they’re focused on every training session, every game, and take the load off the older players — Mile (Jedinak), Timmy (Cahill), Mark Milligan,” Sterjovski said.

“If I see something, I’ll go up to them quickly.

“I also look at their body language when they’re eating. I just start up a chat and see how they’re doing.

“I might pick up some signs and go up to them afterwards.

“I aim to . . . make sure everything’s good within the team.”

Sterjovski said every player had different needs.

“The boys and the staff have been so professional,” he said. “Our strength is being together with high morale . . . it’s always difficult when a new coach with new ways comes in.

“They understood it would take a bit of time.”