Invest in individuals

One of the most oft-repeated truisms in football is that of the 'game-changer'. The solo maestro of mystery that can take a stalemate in the palm of their hand and conjure a goal, a win, an Olympic qualification from nothing.

Tonight Nick D'Agostino was our magician. It was almost Jasurbek Yakhshiboev for the Uzbeks in the first half, as the canny midfielder dropped the shoulder and two Australian defenders before rifling his shot off Tass Mourdoukoutas' ankle. 

But those one-percenters, so crucial to Australia in this modern Asian age, fell in the favour of one of the most consistent Graham Arnold Olyroos inclusions. Once again, it's a question of regularity.

Dagger was the man who sent us to the finals of this competition, stemming back to the tournament's qualifiers and that last gasp draw against South Korea. It was fitting that he was the man to send us to the Olympics.

Consistency is so valuable because it breeds confidence; the credence of the game-changer.

More overt in youth competitions, than the often stoically regimented senior level, the importance of players who not only believe in their own abilities, but their licence to back themselves in key moments, cannot be overstated.

Now, for this squad, the real challenge begins.

Before Tokyo in July, there are numerous Australians - no less than the likes of Daniel Arzani, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan - eagerly awaiting to usurp them and their Olympic dreams.

Before this tournament, Graham Arnold spoke mainly of the necessity of encouraging the Olyroos to believe in themselves. 

"I believe that by the end of 2020 there will be five kids that will be part of the Socceroos squad," Arnie said before this tournament.

Hopefully, he believes it as much as they do.