12 years. What have we learnt?

If there is one incredibly specific lesson we can take from the last two matches alone, it's the importance of defensively-oriented midfielders that support each other in counter-attacking scenarios.

While there were several facets of the Olyroos play that impressed throughout this tournament - albeit, very few that repeated often - our ability to win key challenges was a massive advantage. 

Our tackling ability was not only superior to the Uzbeks and the Syrians but to the South Koreans. It was reminiscent of the hardy, full-flung Olyroos of old. The Australian teams of Barcelona in 1992 and of Arnie's last charge, Beijing in 2008.

Keanu Baccus and Zach Duncan's influence at the heart of our midfield pivot was instrumental. They dictated the tempo, not through passing but through interruption.

They insisted upon an intensity that our Australian attackers simply didn't have the positional or technical sense to match. But it remained one of our most effective superiorities nonetheless.

It was the echo in spirit and magnetism of 2008's Olympic side; Ruben Zadkovich, Mark Milligan, Neil Kilkenny.

12 years have passed since our last Olympic qualification and we have tried so much and learnt absolutely nothing.

But perhaps, finally, that's not such a bad thing after all.