Five things we learned: Australia v Chile

The ultimate result disappointed, but this was one of the best Socceroos performances in recent memory.

Australia went toe to toe with world number four ranked Chile, and were the better team for large parts of the game.

James Troisi opened the scoring late in the first half, and for a period it appeared that Ange Postecoglou would secure his first win with the national team at a FIFA competition.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Chile

When Martin Rodriguez found an equaliser in the 67^th minute, Australia responded with heart and pressed for a winner.

While it was not to be, the Socceroos can head home from Russia with their heads held high.

Here are five things we learned from Australia’s final game at the Confederations Cup.

Brave selection by Ange

There is a towering statue at the entrance to Spartak Stadium.

It represents Spartacus, the gladiator who revolted against the Romans, and is a nod to the revolutionary links of resident team Spartak Moscow.

But when Australian fans saw Ange Postecoglou’s team selection on Sunday evening, they were contemplating another kind of revolt.

Postecoglou made six changes to his starting XI

The Socceroos boss made six changes for the clash with Chile – bringing in Troisi, Tim Cahill, Aziz Behich, Ryan McGowan, Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine while leaving attacking stars Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy on the bench.

Given Australia needed to score two goals to progress to the semi-finals, it seemed Postecoglou was abandoning the Confederations Cup and trying something new ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

But the Socceroos performance, if perhaps not the result, vindicated Postecoglou’s choices.

It was a strategic masterstroke. Despite making five changes of their own, Chile looked tired for most of the evening, while Australia was energised by the fresh faces.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Chile

A true team performance

The most heartening aspect of the Socceroos performance against Chile was not the individual showings of one or two players, but that every member of the Socceroos rose to the occasion.

Not a single Australian disappointed – even arguably the weakest performer on Sunday, Behich, did a solid job at wingback.

Australia defended and attacked together. Captain Tim Cahill led from the front, audibly willing his players on at key points in the first half.

After a string of disappointing outings, this was Socceroos performance hoped for by Australian football fans.

Aziz Behich was tireless

Ryan, Milligan and McGowan and Troisi shine

But there were several players who stood out.

Recent Premier League arrival Mat Ryan was outstanding, keeping Australia in the game with numerous fine saves.

He prevented an early Chile goal with a fine double save in the opening minutes, which set the tone for a commanding performance.

Defensive duo Mark Milligan and McGowan both looked assured in the back line.

Milligan executed a millimetre perfect late tackle on Alexis Sanchez when the Arsenal player was free on goal, and it withstood a Video Assistant Referee review after Chilean pleas for a penalty.

McGowan put his body on the line for Australia, needing four stitches after an incident in the second half.

Ryan McGowan was in the wars

Troisi’s calmly-converted goal was just rewards for a strong showing all evening, and he was later named man of the match.

“I am extremely proud,” Troisi said afterwards. “We created a lot of opportunities today.

“We will be disappointed with some of the chances we had that we did not finish, but I am proud of the boys, all of us, the coaching staff and the coaches. There are definitely a lot of positives to take out of this.”

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Chile

The crowd turns up in Moscow

Disappointingly for those who had travelled thousands of kilometres, the atmosphere at Australia’s first two games of the tournament was dull at best.

In both Sochi and Saint Petersburg, the stadiums were half empty and the reported attendances looked to have benefited from creative calculations.

That changed in Moscow. For a start, the Spartak Stadium is more suited to smaller fixtures – think AAMI Park rather than Etihad Stadium.

The Socceroos warm up at Spartak Stadium

A reported 33,639 fans packed into the recently-built 45,360 seater arena, located not far from the centre of Moscow.

The Chilean supporters, who have flocked in Russia in large numbers, were in fine voice all evening.

And local Russians, who have appeared disinterested at recent games, thoroughly enjoyed the attacking encounter.

Australia can beat Japan and qualify for Russia 2018

After Australia’s showing against Germany and Cameroon, real doubt started to surface among fans and journalists about whether the current Socceroos were good enough to seal automatic qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

Australia sit third in their qualifying group. To finish in the top two, the team will likely need to at least draw with Japan away and then beat Thailand in Melbourne.