Graham Arnold questioned a number of his players' commitment to their country after they sank to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Iraq in the Asian Cup on Friday.
The pre-tournament favourites' hopes of qualification is now reliant on other results as they once again struggled against Middle Eastern opposition following their draw with Oman on Sunday.
The Socceroos had started the game brightly and created a number of decent chances in the opening stages.
But they fell behind midway through the first half when Nashat Akram's free-kick wrong-footed Mark Schwarzer and landed in the back of the net.
Mark Viduka dragged his side level straight after the restart but further goals from Hawar Mulla Mohammed and Karrar Jassim Mohammed condemned them to defeat before Lucas Neill completed Australia's misery when he received a second yellow card in the dying seconds.
"Looking at the game I would go as far to say that some players don't want to be here," said Arnold.
"The timing of the tournament is not perfect but the players had four weeks holiday and we could use the heat and the humidity as an excuse but their attitude must come in to it.
"Their heads are down but they have to look at how they played. Some players have to look at themselves in the mirror and should be questioning whether they want to be here.
"It comes down to mentality and attitude and some players might not want to be here."
Australia must now defeat Thailand on Monday and hope that the result goes their away in the other Group A encounter between Oman and Iraq if they are to qualify.
And the 43-year-old coach promised his side will do their utmost to secure the three points they need.
Arnold said: "It was very disappointing because three individual mistakes cost us the game. We got back to 1-1, we had all the play but two individual mistakes killed us.
"We'll do our best against Thailand and there are players who are desperate to get out and play and I'll be looking at this over the next 24 hours."
Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira refused to take praise for masterminding the victory but insisted everyone must remain with their feet on the ground until qualification is assured.
He said: "We wanted to win this game. We didn't come here to lose. The result is not a surprise for me because I know my players and I know their potential.
"The win is not mine, it is the players and the technical staff and all the people supporting us. I am not a magician.
"This is the first step. We have the right to dream but we must also keep our feet on the floor."
To check out images from the match click here.
The Socceroos had started the game brightly and created a number of decent chances in the opening stages.
But they fell behind midway through the first half when Nashat Akram's free-kick wrong-footed Mark Schwarzer and landed in the back of the net.
Mark Viduka dragged his side level straight after the restart but further goals from Hawar Mulla Mohammed and Karrar Jassim Mohammed condemned them to defeat before Lucas Neill completed Australia's misery when he received a second yellow card in the dying seconds.
"Looking at the game I would go as far to say that some players don't want to be here," said Arnold.
"The timing of the tournament is not perfect but the players had four weeks holiday and we could use the heat and the humidity as an excuse but their attitude must come in to it.
"Their heads are down but they have to look at how they played. Some players have to look at themselves in the mirror and should be questioning whether they want to be here.
"It comes down to mentality and attitude and some players might not want to be here."
Australia must now defeat Thailand on Monday and hope that the result goes their away in the other Group A encounter between Oman and Iraq if they are to qualify.
And the 43-year-old coach promised his side will do their utmost to secure the three points they need.
Arnold said: "It was very disappointing because three individual mistakes cost us the game. We got back to 1-1, we had all the play but two individual mistakes killed us.
"We'll do our best against Thailand and there are players who are desperate to get out and play and I'll be looking at this over the next 24 hours."
Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira refused to take praise for masterminding the victory but insisted everyone must remain with their feet on the ground until qualification is assured.
He said: "We wanted to win this game. We didn't come here to lose. The result is not a surprise for me because I know my players and I know their potential.
"The win is not mine, it is the players and the technical staff and all the people supporting us. I am not a magician.
"This is the first step. We have the right to dream but we must also keep our feet on the floor."
To check out images from the match click here.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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