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If you missed the Socceroos' 3-2 loss to mighty Germany during the wee hours of Monday morning, you'd be forgiven for thinking Australia earned some footballing pride by making the world champions sweat for the points.
But what the one-goal loss disguised was an inept first-half performance which saw a near-full-strength Australian line-up wilt in the face of German youth.
At half-time, Australia was lucky to be only 2-1 down, with Germany creating chance after chance, totting up the shot count and utterly dominating play.
The Socceroos appeared rudderless, and it begged the question: does Australia even have a plan against the top sides?
Conceding early goals now appears to be a theme, following the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brazil, and for large portions of the match Australia's defensive pieces looked lost against a second-string German attack.
Wing-back Aziz Behich was repeatedly beaten down the flanks by the fabulous Julian Brandt, Milos Degenek was caught ball-watching more than once, and Mark Milligan's partnership with Massimo Luongo was an ineffective shield in front of their back line.
The defensive unit still isn't sure what's what in the new 3-4-3 formation, and terrible passing saw it nearly conspire to gift Germany a four vs two situation from which Australia somehow escaped.
Ange Postecoglou looked to set up his team to press Germany high, but at times the approach looked half-hearted, and Australia's midfield engine room was vacuous throughout the first half.
Lars Stindl was given the red carpet treatment by the dysfunctional Milligan-Luongo pairing, with the wily schemer sauntering through midfield unopposed as Germany bossed the centre of the park.
Germany could be blamed for its own profligacy in front of goal, and it escaped once when Trent Sainsbury — perhaps Australia's only defender to emerge with any real credit — missed a great chance with the header from an Aaron Mooy set piece.
Australia would punish the Germans later. Rogic's fine form in front of goal continued when fortune favoured his deflected shot, rebounding off Shkrodran Mustafi's rear back into his path, slotting home the second shot below the dive of Bernd Leno.
But given the grace of good fortune, the Socceroos could not set themselves up tactically to see out the first half. This was the chance to stabilise, to frustrate, and soak up the inevitable German response.
One immediate attack later, Germany had a penalty. Leon Goretska manoeuvred into the box, Luongo took him out from behind (out of desperation, or naivete?), and Julian Draxler calmly dispatched the spot kick to reclaim the lead.
Second half a balm for Socceroos' insecurities
Frustration rankling in the coach's corner, Postecoglou looked to try something else in the second stanza by bringing Robbie Kruse on for Luongo. The former Bayer Leverkusen winger almost immediately caused some mischief when put through in the second half's opening exchanges, but was flagged offside.
A brief moment of optimism was immediately soured by reality when another fantastic off-the-ball run paid dividends for Germany, with Goretska's unerring finish putting the game (mostly) to bed.
Gradually, the Socceroos started to enjoy more possession, even accounting for some errant passes that triggered another unsuccessful German counterattack.
Rogic was still Australia's brightest spark. Looking dangerous on the edge of the penalty area, Goretska brought Rogic down for an Australian free-kick.
Mooy's ball cannoned off the German wall, teeing up Rogic for a shot which threaded through a sea of legs, squirming free of Leno's grasp. A gift for forward Tomi Juric, who steered home from close range to make it 3-2.
In the 71st minute, Rogic was hauled off by Postecoglou for James Troisi. One positive from Australia's afternoon in Sochi came in the form of the unattached South Australian, who slotted in seamlessly in Rogic's attacking playmaker role as Australia continued to create chances. Kruse and Juric in particular were combining dangerously.
One last roll of the dice saw Tim Cahill sent on for the last few minutes, in the hopes he could conjure up a miracle equaliser, but sadly that appears to be the role the Socceroos great is restricted to nowadays.
Despite seemingly holding on — at least, we'd like to interpret it that way — Germany still had time to spurn the chance of a fourth goal when Werner hit the base of Mat Ryan's post.
Australia's second-half possession was enjoyable to watch, but it came with so many caveats. What team in serious competition would let Australia dictate play like this?
Did the Socceroos have a plan to stifle Germany? It wasn't evident in Sochi. Our midfield hasn't shown it can seize such a high-profile contest, leaving our uncertain defenders repeatedly exposed.
It's worthwhile noting that Germany is fielding the youngest side at the Confederations Cup. Group B contestants Chile have the oldest team.
Australia could have shipped a host of goals to a second-string team. Against South American competitors determined to win the tournament, it could get ugly.
Topics: socceroos, soccer-world-cup, soccer, sport, russian-federation, germany, australia
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