Cahill helps Socceroos stop the rot Australia's Tim Cahill hugs captain Lucas Neill after scoring a goal during the international friendly against Costa Rica. Photo: David Gray The Ange Postecoglou era might be all about bringing in the new but it was the most familiar of faces who delivered Postecoglou his first victory as Socceroos manager. A 68th-minute header by Tim Cahill from a Tommy Oar corner was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over a dogged Costa Rica. The goal was Cahill's 29th for the green and gold, bringing him level with existing record-holder Damian Mori. While the goal itself took a lucky deflection, it was no less than Australia deserved, having dominating the contest. The Socceroos didn't necessarily generate a catalogue of chances, but they produced enough to suggest the scars of the 6-0 defeats against France and Brazil - which cost previous manager Holger Osieck his job - are long gone. Most of the 20,165 crowd were keen to see an end to the stodgy, defensive-minded play of recent years and they were rewarded with a glimpse of a very different future. Now instead of fearing what might happen in the World Cup, the whole nation can look forward to Brazil with renewed confidence. Many who looked at the starting side and saw Mathew Leckie playing as the lone striker - ahead of Cahill and Josh Kennedy - might have wondered why. It was Postecoglou's rather blunt way of telling both the squad and the public that he wants Australia to play on the deck, not in the air. The execution wasn't always perfect - and Postecoglou will be the first to admit it will take time for this squad to adjust - but the focus on a passing and possession style was embraced by all those who took to the pitch. The new boss had barely a week to massage his philosophy into the players' minds but they heeded the message well. Intricate combinations, especially through the impressive Mark Milligan and Mile Jedinak, were the order of the evening. Lucas Neill, breaking Peter Wilson's previous record of 60 games as national captain, was solid. The excellent Rhys Williams, despite playing just 47 minutes, took charge of the passing duties from the back. The Socceroos found their stride when Williams nearly set Robbie Kruse through on goal, only for Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton to deny him a shot. Leckie then displayed a spring-heeled leap in reaching an incoming cross soon after but he couldn't generate enough power. While the forward looked lively, his night nearly came to a premature end when he flew in for a ball ahead of Oscar Duarte and Davidson - only to have that pair crash into his leg, with Duarte accidentally stomping on Leckie. The FSV Frankfurt attacker again found himself in the thick of the action a minute later after a slick passing move down the right, which ended with Kruse crossing past Pemberton - only for still-rattled Leckie to miss the open goal. Postecoglou rang the changes early in the second half, swapping Williams for Ryan McGowan and Leckie for Cahill. On the hour mark, Dario Vidosic made way for Oar and Mark Bresciano - in possibly his last game for four months after making an illegal club transfer - for Tom Rogic.