To see the Socceroos fans in Sydney...

 

Australia missed out of qualification for the round of 16 by goal difference after notching just the second World Cup win in its history. Lowy said it was a performance full of courage and a massive shot in the arm for the footballing nation.

"It was fantastic really. Last time we had four points and we made it. This time we didn't. It's a very fine line, one more goal against Ghana and we'd be singing," he said.

"It's unbelievable how dedicated our guys are, against all odds, they nearly made it, by the thickness of the hair. Sixteen teams go through and we are the 17th, what can you do."

Lowy revealed he addressed the players both before and after each of the matches and said he was immensely proud of how the players reacted after the 4-0 loss to Germany,

"I can see that they are a very determined group. They were just a bit unlucky," he said.

Lowy said that plans were in place for the transition of players after this World Cup, while he expects to announce the new Socceroos coach, who he confirmed was likely to be one of the 31 other coaches at the tournament, in the next month.

"We are already thinking about it and we have got some plans to re-invigorate the team. The Asian Cup is important, no doubt about that. Asian Cup, Olympics, the next four years is a very big job ahead of us," he said.

"We will probably (appoint a coach) in the next month or so. We are talking to number of coaches and we have got to get the right person, that's suitable for us."

Lowy did not confirm whether FFA would persist with a Dutch coach after the reigns of Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek at the past two World Cups.

"Australia is a great team and it's a great place and we'll find a good coach. We had two coaches who have come from Holland but we are not looking for what nationality they have come from, but how they will suit us."

He said the Verbeek-era, which ended with the loss on Wednesday night, would be judged as a success.

"It has been a success. We were first to qualify and we nearly made it," Lowy said. "He left Australia in a good state."

  

To see the Socceroos fans in Sydney...