“I'm pretty sure most of the boys proved they can do a little bit and that and I'm pretty sure the Olyroos proved they're good enough to play in the Socceroos," he said.

“I didn't see a great deal of the second half as I was having a shower, but I'm sure Pim he would've seen what he wanted.”

Two brilliant goals from Matt Simon and Ruben Zadkovich gave the U/23s a 2-0 cushion before Archie Thompson's cheeky backheel gave Pim Verbeek's side the sniff of a comeback.

Aloisi described Verbeek as being different in personality to former Socceroo coach Guus Hiddink but similar in football philosophy.

“He talks quite a bit and has explained how he wants us to play.”

As for the burning question of bringing back overseas-based Socceroos, Aloisi was non-commital.

“When the time comes Pim will make the decision. It's a big game and we know we have to win and I don't think he'll be taking any risks – whatever he thinks is right, he'll do.”

Fellow Socceroo Joel Griffiths may not have known who Pim Verbeek was a month ago, but after yesterday's match he also gave the new man a thumbs up.

“He seems very approachable, which is good. And I'm looking forward to working with him because I think he has all the attributes to take us to the World Cup,” Griffiths said.

“He was stressing basic things during the breaks in the game. Like closing down - when you don't have the ball you fill in the space so it's easier to defend without using too much energy.

“Very similar to Guus [Hiddink]. His training sessions are short and sharp and very tactical.”

Griffiths, who iced his right achilles heel after yesterday match as a precaution, had two good chances to score in yesterday's match. One a close-range header and the other a trademark free-kick from 20 yards out which just went over Danny Vukovic's bar.

And he relished playing alongside John Aloisi. “He's a good lad. He holds the ball up well and he enables other players to come into the game – a bit like Mark Viduka.”

Aloisi played as a high striker with Griffiths in behind him for the first half of the game.

Both players are again set to be on the same pitch in Saturday's F3 derby – a clash many are saying will be the biggest in A-League history.

The Jets are desperate to confirm their top four status while the Mariners are equally keen to regain top spot against their bitter local rivals.

“It's hard to click your fingers and score two goals like you do at club level,” he said of his goalless performance in the 2-1 loss.

“I wasn't going in here to do too much. Obviously we've got a big derby game against Central Coast on Saturday and that's where you want to do as much damage.

“It's good to do a few things on the ball but it's only two training sessions and I'm not the best trainer!”