Furious Osieck forecasts Socceroos changes

12 Sep 2012, 1:49 pm   -   Source: AAP

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck could not hide his disappointment after a disastrous loss to Jordan left Australia's 2014 World Cup hopes in limbo.

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Furious Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has hinted at big changes after a disastrous loss to lowly-ranked Jordan left Australia facing a 2014 World Cup qualification dogfight.

Tuesday's shock 2-1 loss in Amman left the Socceroos with a lot of work to do in their quest to appear at a third consecutive World Cup finals in Brazil.

Hassan Abdel Fattah and Amer Deeb's second-half strikes sealed Australia's fate as the Socceroos were unable to counter the unrelenting intensity of their less-fancied opponents, who sit 62 places lower on the FIFA rankings.

Archie Thompson's late strike - his second goal in as many games - was all Australia had to celebrate in a performance that kept them eight points behind runaway group leaders Japan.

"The disappointment is enormous," coach Osieck said.

"We had a very, very poor first half, we didn't get into the game. Our passing was a disaster, we never could get into our normal rhythm.

"We played a lot of long balls and I don't know why that happened.

"There was not enough movement in midfield. It was definitely a very poor showing in the first half.

"In the second half we tried very hard. We could have scored, but when we can't capitalise then you can't blame anybody else but us."

Asked whether he would be making changes for next month's vital away clash with Iraq in Qatar, Osieck offered ominously: "I already have my plans."

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill conceded every player was now on notice and the team had to chase wins.

"Ultimately the job is to get the points to go to Brazil and he (Osieck) has to pick a team he feels will get maximum points now," said Neill.

"We've got to keep believing and stay positive.

"There's plenty of points to play for, but if we perform like we did tonight it's going to be difficult."

With five matches to play in the final phase of qualification, Australia sit third on two points in Group B behind Japan (10 points) and Jordan (four) but are only ahead of Iraq and Oman on goal difference.

Japan's 1-0 win over Iraq in Saitama leaves the Blue Samurai looking virtually assured of qualification with the four other teams fighting out for second spot and a direct berth to Brazil.

The third place finisher can still qualify but has to win playoffs against another Asian team and the fifth-placed South American team.

An uneven pitch and a Jordanian side outstanding in their willingness to launch bodies at the ball made dictating play nearly impossible.

Indeed, Australia's prime creative outlet, Mark Bresciano, was withdrawn at the break - albeit due to injury - having been virtually bypassed throughout the first half due to the Socceroos' pragmatic direct approach.

Hassan's opener on 50 minutes came after substitute Mile Jedinak was dubiously ruled to have fouled Odai Al Saify on the fringe of the penalty area.

The Socceroos' woe was compounded when Amer Deeb doubled the host's advantage 15 minutes from time with a sharp finish after some great lead-up from Al Saify.

Thompson's classy finish close to full time was a mere consolation and the Socceroos will be under heavy pressure heading into the October 17 clash with Iraq in Doha.

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