Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo says Marco Tilio's status as a fringe Socceroo chasing a ticket to the World Cup won't guarantee him A-League Men playing time.
Tilio is among those jostling for a spot to Qatar, competing with the likes of Daniel Arzani and Garang Kuol as a young, fringe attacker.
But the 21-year-old was named as a substitute for City's season opener against Western United, with Kisnorbo opting for Andrew Nabbout and Mathew Leckie on the wings.
It was the first of six games Tilio has to impress before the Socceroos squad is selected.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold was watching on from the AAMI Park stands on Friday night as Tilio came on in the 73rd minute for Nabbout and spurned a late chance in the 2-1 victory.
"I go on my feel and players that have done well in the pre-season and I thought Andy deserved to play," Kisnorbo told reporters.
"Just because Marco got picked for the Socceroos doesn't mean anyone's an automatic starter.
"You need to work hard to get into the team and he got his chance today. I was happy for him when he came on.
"I picked the best eleven that I think going into a game. Just because you represent Australia doesn't mean you're an automatic starter in this team."
Leckie was everywhere in the 2-1 win while Jamie Maclaren scored and led City's brilliant press.
Meanwhile, City will hope new recruit Thomas Lam pulls up well after being forced off in the 65th minute.
Kisnorbo suggested Lam's substitution was as a precaution.
Curtis Good (knock) and Nuno Reis (hamstring), late withdrawals from the squad will be assessed.
Reis looks set for a couple of weeks on the sidelines while Kisnorbo indicated playmaker Florin Berenguer still needed time to recover.
"It's just time. He injured himself during pre-season and obviously those muscles and tendons, you have to give them time," he said.
"He's been tracking really well so we're very happy with that and hopefully he will be with us soon."
