Australia face Peru in Sochi on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), where only a win coupled with a French victory over Denmark will see them reach the knockout rounds.

But Saturday's day off wasn't without purpose.

"In international football you never waste a day," assistant coach Ante Milicic said.

"We need to freshen them up because you have to find that balance."

Aziz Behich said the rest was well timed, even if the Socceroos were feeling in shape after their hot-weather camp in Antalya to prepare for the tournament.

"Two days after a game is the always maybe most difficult. A lot of sportsmen, not just footballers, say it's the most difficult," he said.

"Sometimes you just need the body to rest and refresh mentally.

"But I feel fit. The boys are all fit.

"I haven't felt this good two days after a game in a long time."

Trent Sainsbury led a group of players, hurt Andrew Nabbout included, on a sightseeing tour of downtown Kazan.

With the training kit left in the travel bag, the Socceroos also renewed hostilities around the card table.

Behich said he felt like he was in a camp with "brothers" but the good vibes were put to one side when it came to playing 21.

Mat Leckie revealed the two leaders were two of the older players.

"It's a mixture of winners but at the moment Robbie (Kruse) and Tim (Cahill) have won the most," he said.

Josh Risdon said he'd laid down the cards after a winning streak leading into the tournament.

"I haven't played in the last week or so but I played in Turkey a couple of times and I won a couple of times," he said.

Saturday was also a local holiday celebrated by the Tatar people, Sabantuy.

The word roughly translates as 'the triumph of the plough', recognising the end of fieldwork in days gone past.

Tatars have maintained the day beyond the arrival of modernity, using the holiday as a chance to eat food of the region, recognise cultural practices and compete in wrestling games.

Australian Associated Press