MATCH REPORT: Socceroos humbled by Qatar
Mounting crisis or work in progress?
There's little middle ground between triumph and disaster in the fickle world of modern football. A win here, regardless of how narrow, or even a draw, would have made it three matches unbeaten for the Socceroos.
As it is, the loss to Qatar had some supporters condemning Ange Postecoglou in the strongest terms on social media, as Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater began to apply some intense scrutiny to the national team boss in the television studio.
With just one friendly left now before the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in January, it will be the tournament itself when the Postecoglou regime - essentially given a free-ride in Brazil - will receive its first major collective judgement. At this stage, based on all empirical evidence, it may not be kind to the man hailed as a saviour and visionary 12 months ago.
Troisi hesitant in international football
The Zulte Waregem attacking midfielder came on in the second half against the United Arab Emirates to good effect, proving more aggressive and decisive than Massimo Luongo. But he struggled to replicate that form after being named in the starting XI on Wednesday, his reluctance to shoot with his right foot meaning he passed up one of Australia's best chances of the first half. With the former more incisiveness and the latter more industrious, Tom Rogic and Oliver Bozanic will fancy their chances of moving ahead of Troisi in the pecking order if they can regain form and fitness.
Bagpipes > Vuvuzelas
The sound of Mizmar (Qatar's answer to the bagpipes), which floated so pleasantly across the sparsely populated Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Stadium, was infinitely preferable to the dreaded vuvuzela, scourge of the 2010 World Cup and a threat to the enjoyment of every game where well-provisioned street hawkers have set up shop. Or perhaps your columnist's pro-Highland bias is merely coming through.
Don't lose the tie Ange
Australia's heavy-set tactician has gone through several sartorial incarnations since taking the national team job. On the training field, resplendent in unforgiving Nike activewear, he looked like a busy businessman father press-ganged into coaching the local Under-11s.
In Brazil he dug out his Sunday best, although that didn't stop some of the world's more mischievous media from likening him to a particularly well-dressed bouncer.
Lately, in the unforgiving heat and humidity of the Gulf, Ange ditched the tie and undid his top button, creating an open-shirt look worryingly reminiscent of Avram Grant. Perhaps a resemblance to the dour Israeli can't hurt. After all, he did get Chelsea to the Champions League final.
Oar/Kruse an upgrade on Leckie
There's no denying that when fit, the Utrecht winger and Bayer Leverkusen forward are Australia's first-choice wide attackers.
Oar appeared to launch more crosses (albeit some more accurate than others) in the first 30 minutes against Qatar than Mathew Leckie, Kruse and Bernie Ibini managed throughout the entire game against the UAE.
Ibini looked more at home on the right when he came on in the Qatar game, but it's clear who Postecoglou's go-to men are, even if they couldn't deliver again on Wednesday.
Mounting crisis or work in progress?
There's little middle ground between triumph and disaster in the fickle world of modern football. A win here, regardless of how narrow, or even a draw, would have made it three matches unbeaten for the Socceroos.
As it is, the loss to Qatar had some supporters condemning Ange Postecoglou in the strongest terms on social media, as Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater began to apply some intense scrutiny to the national team boss in the television studio.
With just one friendly left now before the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in January, it will be the tournament itself when the Postecoglou regime - essentially given a free-ride in Brazil - will receive its first major collective judgement. At this stage, based on all empirical evidence, it may not be kind to the man hailed as a saviour and visionary 12 months ago.
Troisi hesitant in international football
The Zulte Waregem attacking midfielder came on in the second half against the United Arab Emirates to good effect, proving more aggressive and decisive than Massimo Luongo. But he struggled to replicate that form after being named in the starting XI on Wednesday, his reluctance to shoot with his right foot meaning he passed up one of Australia's best chances of the first half. With the former more incisiveness and the latter more industrious, Tom Rogic and Oliver Bozanic will fancy their chances of moving ahead of Troisi in the pecking order if they can regain form and fitness.
Bagpipes > Vuvuzelas
The sound of Mizmar (Qatar's answer to the bagpipes), which floated so pleasantly across the sparsely populated Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Stadium, was infinitely preferable to the dreaded vuvuzela, scourge of the 2010 World Cup and a threat to the enjoyment of every game where well-provisioned street hawkers have set up shop. Or perhaps your columnist's pro-Highland bias is merely coming through.
Don't lose the tie Ange
Australia's heavy-set tactician has gone through several sartorial incarnations since taking the national team job. On the training field, resplendent in unforgiving Nike activewear, he looked like a busy businessman father press-ganged into coaching the local Under-11s.
In Brazil he dug out his Sunday best, although that didn't stop some of the world's more mischievous media from likening him to a particularly well-dressed bouncer.
Lately, in the unforgiving heat and humidity of the Gulf, Ange ditched the tie and undid his top button, creating an open-shirt look worryingly reminiscent of Avram Grant. Perhaps a resemblance to the dour Israeli can't hurt. After all, he did get Chelsea to the Champions League final.
Oar/Kruse an upgrade on Leckie
There's no denying that when fit, the Utrecht winger and Bayer Leverkusen forward are Australia's first-choice wide attackers.
Oar appeared to launch more crosses (albeit some more accurate than others) in the first 30 minutes against Qatar than Mathew Leckie, Kruse and Bernie Ibini managed throughout the entire game against the UAE.
Ibini looked more at home on the right when he came on in the Qatar game, but it's clear who Postecoglou's go-to men are, even if they couldn't deliver again on Wednesday.