Boring Socceroos get to Asian Cup knockouts but lack much-needed unpredictability

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All that matters is the Socceroos are through to the Asian Cup knockouts, right?

Well, yes and no.

There is no doubt Graham Arnold would be delighted with two wins and two clean sheets to start the Qatar-based tournament.

But there is a concerning pattern to Australia's recent performances that is becoming apparent to all watching.

Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+

The Socceroos lack creativity in attack and are simply dull to watch at the moment.

Win’s a win. But I want to see more from the Socceroos in terms of style and invention. And I don’t think that’s too much to ask, or too harsh to say. #SYRvAUS

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) January 18, 2024

Since the 7-0 mauling of an extremely poor Bangladesh in November, Australia's last four performances against Palestine (1-0), Bahrain (2-0), India (2-0) and Syria (1-0) have been tedious.

Maybe this sentiment is too harsh - especially considering those 'tedious' performances were four wins with four clean sheets.

But there is a desire from Australian football fans for the team to play attacking football or at least be progressing toward a version of that.

MORE: Socceroos vs Syria live result, highlights as Irvine leads Australia to Asian Cup win

Against Syria, the Socceroos had only one shot on target, which was Jackson Irvine's goal, against a reasonably well-organised but rather poor opposition. 

Mitch Duke always works hard up front, there is no doubt about that, but he lacks quality in tight spaces and creativity-wise, which is not the best against deep-lying opposition.

There is definitely room for Duke in the squad, particularly off the bench when Australia needs a goal and attacking set pieces are aplenty but it's time to consider our other options.

Bruno Fornaroli's ability to thrive among traffic is one of his stronger assets and while this will reduce the Socceroos' ability to play long balls to Duke, is this really a bad thing?

While, Kusini Yengi is raw and unproven at national level, the attacker has unpredictability coupled with a strong frame and could provide plenty of variety up top.

Jordy Bos is an excellent attacking left-back but why is he playing at left wing? Let's get Jordy to left back to attack at will from there and also pick an adventurous player on the left wing, such as Craig Goodwin, Sam Silvera or Marco Tilio.

It's saying something that Australia's best attacking player has been Jackson Irvine, who is the second-deepest midfielder aside from Connor Metcalfe.

If fully fit, Riley McGree should be considered as a starter over Metcalfe, who came into the tournament as one Australia's in-form players at club level.

McGree has looked dangerous and lively off the bench while Metcalfe has struggled to play through the lines of the tight, packed defences.

Maybe we are being spoiled asking for more attacking performances when Australia is winning.

Maybe Arnold feels a pragmatic style of football is the best way to get wins against teams with superior individuals such as Japan and South Korea.

But the concern is that we get to these big matches against strong Asian opposition and we have no answers in attack as they batter our defence with pressure and chances.