The Socceroos have now gone three games without a win in World Cup qualifying following a 1-1 draw with China in the UAE on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Australia's hopes of automatic qualification for Qatar 2022 are now vulnerable with Japan hot on their heels, as pressure builds on green and gold coach Graham Arnold.
Here's what we learned from the Socceroos match against China.
Pressure builds on Socceroos and Graham Arnold after third consecutive match without a win
After winning their first three matches rather comfortably against China, Vietnam and Oman in this final stage of qualifying, the Socceroos have failed to win the next three games as World Cup qualification looks dicey.
Landscapes change rather quickly in football and Graham Arnold is suddenly under significant pressure with Australia now toeing a fine line to qualify directly for Qatar 2022.
It feels as if the Socceroos performances are declining, with important players such as Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Harry Souttar absent, and as opponents look to be setting up better against Arnold's tactics.
Australia has four matches remaining - Vietnam (home) and Oman (away) through the end of January and start of February before a nightmare finish in March against Japan (home) and Saudi Arabia (away).
The Vietnam and Oman matches are absolute must win before the Socceroos face the other group favourites in a blockbuster finish to group B in Asia World Cup qualifying.
Socceroos fade out in a match once again as Arnold's substitutions fail to have impact
It's becoming a concerning pattern for the Socceroos in recent matches - dominate and be relatively strong through the first 60-70 minutes of matches before fading and holding on to snare a result.
Is it opposition teams setting up better to contain Australia and then strike later in matches against tiring legs?
Or is it the fact that the green and gold are struggling to find match-changing substitutes off the bench?
Whether it's a general squad depth issue or the fact that players such as Rogic, Mooy and Adam Taggart are injured, but the Socceroos' substitutes over the past few matches haven't had much impact.
Jamie Maclaren, admittedly underdone, was finally given a chance for the final 30 minutes but was barely sighted and didn't get involved in the match.
The Melbourne City striker wasn't alone with fellow attacking changes Awer Mabil, Riley McGree and Nikita Rukavytsya also not providing much off the bench.
Australia needs game changers off the bench and the hope is that Mooy and Rogic are fit for the qualifiers next year to hopefully provide some depth for the squad.
Mitch Duke answers critics with another crucial goal for the Socceroos
Several critics were baffled at the selection of Mitch Duke as the Socceroos' centre forward, with Jamie Maclaren available and Mathew Leckie also an option to start through the middle.
But the 30-year-old popped up with a strong header to score Australia's goal, using his physique and height to secure his fifth strike of the calendar year for the green and gold.
While Duke doesn't possess a huge amount of technical quality, his work rate in attack, hold up play and finishing so far this year has been a great addition to Australia's attack.
Question marks remain whether the Socceroos could qualify for the World Cup with Duke up front for the final four games, with more natural, creative strikers Taggart and Leckie more suited to stronger opposition.
Duke can still have an important role to play however. His energy, work rate and physicality in the box are great assets to bring on to the game as a substitute late in matches.
Into the team and onto the scoresheet ⚽️@mitchduke8 nods home the opener against China.
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 16, 2021
🎥: @10FootballAU #CHNvAUS #AsianQualifiers #AllForTheSocceroos pic.twitter.com/Gnsdt7Q0kX
Robbie Thomson makes quality return to Australian screens as part of 10 Football's coverage
Renowned Australian football commentator Robbie Thomson put in an excellent performance commentating the Socceroos after many years working abroad throughout Europe.
Thomson has been signed as one of 10 Football's lead commentators, alongside Simon Hill, and his expert calling and knowledge will be a welcome addition to international and A-League games.
His ability to be a no-frills commentator, calling the action without ego or fanfare, while also showing excellent knowledge of the teams, should definitely add to the football coverage for fans over the coming seasons.
