“In the past maybe there was tokenism but now there is real credibility in the public's eyes," he said from Beijing airport before flying back to Australia.

"We showed in a football sense we can match it with the best in the world.”

The Matildas coach added that last night's 3-2 reversal was frustrating as the side did not play as well as they did in their three group games.

“On performance, last night was our poorest in the tournament," said Sermanni.

"Brazil were worthy winners and the best team we'd come up against in the tournament. We never really got into our rhythm of play.”

The Australians however showed admirable fight to come back from 2-0 down in the first half.

Lisa De Vanna pickpocketed the Brazilian defence while Lauren Colthorpe stung the Samba Queens with an extraordinary header to level the game in the second half.

However, it wasn't to be with Brazil scoring an equally good winner late in the game.

Sermanni added that it was “unrealistic” for skipper Cheryl Salisbury, 33, to be playing at the next World Cup.

“But the squad's quite young so there won't be a large-scale clearout," he added.

"Perhaps one or two of the older players might be looking at getting a life and a proper job though!”

The Matildas coach, who's contracted till the end of 2008, singled out hotshot striker Lisa De Vanna and midfield anchor Collette McCallum as being two players who came of age at this World Cup.