Australia’s campaign at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup was a mixed bag.

The Socceroos were outplayed by Germany, struggled at times against Cameroon and then took the game to Chile – almost collecting a win in the process.

Australia’s outstanding performance against the South American champions showed positive signs of progress.

But the final outcome remains: Australia has failed to go beyond the group stage in their third consecutive FIFA tournament.

Attention now turns to the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Thailand.

Who has secured their spot in coach Ange Postecogou’s squad with strong performances in Russia. Which players might face the cut?

Here’s how one FourFourTwo correspondent at the tournament rated the players.

Mat Ryan (3 starts) – 7.5: Ryan was world class against Chile, single-handedly keeping Australia in the game on several occasions. His double-save in the seventh minute was particularly impressive. There was room for improvement in Ryan’s defensive marshalling throughout the tournament, and he was caught unprepared by Cameroon’s goal, but overall the custodian strengthened his claim to the Socceroos gloves in Russia.

Mat Ryan

Mark Milligan (3 starts) – 8: Australia’s stand-in captain for two games in the tournament, Milligan was a standout player for the Socceroos. He played in Tom Rogic for a goal against Germany and calmly converted a penalty versus Cameroon. But it was at the final game in Moscow that Milligan was truly exceptional. He controlled Alexis Sanchez for most of the match, and executed a millimetre-perfect tackle when the Arsenal forward was through on goal. Milligan also demonstrated his leadership capabilities and may well regain the armband if Jedinak’s injury woes continue.

Trent Sainsbury (3 starts) – 6: Sainsbury had a shocker against the world champions, slipping in the lead-up to their opening goal and struggling to regain composure as the match progressed. But the 25-year-old played with great physicality against a tough Cameroon side and then looked assured against Chile. Sainsbury needs to work on his finishing – he missed golden opportunities against both Germany and the South Americans. But given he has had just 20 minutes of game time for his club since January, Sainsbury deserves some praise for his Confederations Cup campaign.

Bailey Wright (2 starts, 1 substitute appearance) – 5.5: Bristol City defender Wright was at fault for Germany’s early dominance down the flank in game one, but battled back with a committed performance against Cameroon star Christian Bassogog. Wright came on as a late substitute against Chile following Sainsbury’s injury.

Milos Degenek (2 starts) – 5: Japan-based Degenek was at sea against Germany and at fault for Cameroon’s goal. He did however make some key interventions in the second game, and cleverly fouled Bassogog at a critical moment without catching the referee’s eye. Degenek was replaced by Ryan McGowan for the Chile match.

Aziz Behich

Aziz Behich (2 starts) – 4.5: Perhaps Australia’s worst player in Russia, Behich had no answers for Germany’s Julian Brandt and Joshua Kimmich in the first game. He was then uninspiring when his colleagues stepped up against Chile, and looked off the pace – although to his credit he was active all game. Behich leaves Russia with his starting place in grave doubt.

Alex Gersbach (1 start) – 7.5: Despite appearing in just one game, Norway-based Gersbach emerged as a real bright spot for the Socceroos in Russia. Playing in the challenging wingback position against physical Cameroon, the youngest player in the Australian squad excelled, defending calmly and winning a penalty. Expect big things ahead for this former Sydney FC player.

Mathew Leckie

Ryan McGowan (1 start) – 7: After Postecoglou decided he needed to refresh his back line ahead of the Chile game, China-based McGowan was thrown into the defence for the must-win clash in Moscow. Rather than being overawed by the occasion, McGowan played with authority against the fear-inspiring Chilean attack. He also gave blood for his country, requiring stitches for a late head-clash. McGowan did his future national team chances no harm with the single performance in Russia

Mathew Leckie (2 starts, 1 substitute appearance) – 6.5: One of the few Australians to shine in the opening loss to Germany, Leckie’s tireless work ethic was again on display. He was sloppy at times against Cameroon, but should have been awarded a penalty when dragged down in the box by Vincent Aboubakar. Leckie made an impact as a second-half substitute against Chile, bringing much-needed energy as the Socceroos began to tire.

James Troisi (1 start, 2 substitute appearances) – 7: Mercurial midfielder Troisi loves a big goal. He found the winner late in extra time at the 2015 Asian Cup final, scored against Germany later that year and in Russia he beat Claudio Bravo for Australia to take the lead against Chile. Troisi created opportunities in his other appearances, without being outstanding. A solid tournament from the 28-year-old.

Tim Cahill (1 start, 2 substitute appearance) – 6.5: In the lead-up to his 100th national team cap, Cahill made consecutive late substitute appearances against Germany and Cameroon, but failed to make an impact on either. In his century game, Cahill started and wore the captain’s armband. While his footballing impact was again limited, the Socceroos talisman was a potent leader on the field, willing his team forward whenever their heads dropped. Cahill might no longer be the same attacking threat for Australia, but he remains an important figure within the camp.

Tom Rogic

Tom Rogic (2 starts) – 6.5: Celtic playmaker Rogic was anonymous until the 41st minute of the opening game with Germany, when he scored from long range with a crisp strike. While he came alive in the second half, Rogic then went missing again against Cameroon and was rested for the Chile game. In Rogic’s defence, he is often reliant on his team-mates creating the space and opportunities for him to wreak havoc. But for too much of the Confederations Cup Rogic was a bystander, when Australia needed him to step up.

Aaron Mooy (2 starts) – 5.5: Despite starring for Huddersfield Town in the English Championship this season, Mooy had an underwhelming Confederations Cup. Postecoglou started the 26-year-old too high against Germany, and his discomfort showed. He improved in a deeper-lying role during the draw with Cameroon, but was again far from convincing. Mooy looked fatigued and may have been feeling the effects of Huddersfield’s successful run to the play-off finals.

Aaron Mooy

Massimo Luongo (2 starts) – 7: QPR midfielder Luongo had a tournament of contrast. Against Germany, he was the worst Australian player on the pitch. He conceded a penalty, and had woefully misplaced passing. Mercifully, Postecoglou withdrew him at half time. After sitting out the match with Cameroon, Luongo returned in incredible style, and was one of the Socceroos’ best players in the encounter with Chile. His dynamism in the midfield was stellar and he drove Australia forward.

Jackson Irvine (1 start, 1 substitute appearance) – 7: Irvine, who enjoyed a strong club campaign this season with Burton Albion, was absent from game one and a late substitute in game two. But given a starting spot against Chile, the long-haired 24-year-old was superb alongside midfield partner Luongo. Irvine was a constant presence, measured in moving the ball forward and swift in dispossessing his South American counterparts.

Tomi Juric (3 starts) – 6.5: A consistent figure in the changing Socceroos line-up, Juric had a passable but not outstanding campaign. He nabbed a tap-in against Germany, was hacked mercilessly against Cameroon and was largely anonymous in attack against Chile, but defended from the front in all three matches.

Robbie Kruse (2 starts, 1 substitute appearance) – 7: Kruse, rumoured to be on the verge of a return to Germany at club-level, brought attacking spark as a half-time substitute against Die Mannschaft. He created chances against both Cameroon and Chile, justifying his return to the starting line-up. But Kruse was less comfortable in defence, evidently still adjusting to Postecoglou’s new system.

Robbie Kruse

Jamie Maclaren (1 substitute appearance) – 5.5: Recent Darmstadt signing Maclaren can consider himself slightly unlucky that his only run in Russia was in the closing minutes of the encounter with Chile, as Australia chased the two goals needed for a semi-final spot. Maclaren blazed one chance wide, but otherwise looked energetic as he harried the Chilean back line.

Mitch Langerak, Danny Vukovic, Ajdin Hrustic, Dylan McGowan, James Jeggo – N/A: Reserve keepers Langerak and Vukovic were never going to replace Ryan given his stellar form. Hrustic, McGowan and Jeggo, with two caps between them, were predominantly brought along for the experience.

Ange Postecoglou – 6.5: Assessing Postecoglou’s performance is no easy feat. The manager pulled off a tactical masterstroke against Chile, and deserves plaudits for that achievement. Yet ultimately Australia go home without a win, without a semi-final spot and without a clear idea of their best team heading into two pivotal World Cup qualifiers. Postecoglou is reportedly off to Greece for a short holiday. After two weeks of constant football and media criticism, he has certainly earned the break.

The author wishes to thank Lucy Zelic of SBS Television for her input in the preparation of this article.