McDonald, who missed selection for Pim Verbeek's final 2010 World Cup squad, was given a start by new boss Osieck against the Swiss.

But the Middlesbrough striker wasted two gilt-edged first-half chances to put Australia ahead when he failed to hit the target on both occasions.

Osieck, though, preferred to focus on McDonald's hard-working shift up front.

"I was happy he played over 90 minutes with very high intensity," Osieck said.

"He did a lot of running and it was part of our gameplan to make him do all the work up front, all the movement. First-half and part of the second-half with Tim (Cahill) and later on with (Brett) Holman.

"I think we have some good options to combine here."

McDonald was also pleased with his own performance, adding Osieck's decision to offer him a supporting player up front helped him.

"I think you can see it suited me a lot better tonight," McDonald told AAP.

"Straight away we played Timmy (Cahill) a lot further forward and we got a lot of chances.

"I think I have never had that many chances for Australia, unfortunately I never took my goal tonight.

"But I will be keep going and I will never give up. I don't care really what anyone says."