Analysis: Goalless draw exposes Socceroos’ biggest issue and puts World Cup hopes in jeopardy

If there are three key components to football, the Socceroos scaped pass marks for two of them against Indonesia. But the one they got wrong could doom their World Cup qualification campaign.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines. Picture: Aditya Aji/AFP

If we go back to basics there are three key components of football – defence, ball possession and scoring goals – the Socceroos scraped pass marks in two areas in their disappointing 0-0 draw with Indonesia and failed the third.

The one they failed- putting the ball in the net- is what ultimately wins games.

Towering centre back Harry Souttar can make all the gut busting tackles he wants – but it doesn’t count for much if the players at the opposite end of the field can’t do their job and score a goal.

It is why fans loved Tim Cahill, John Aloisi and Mark Viduka.

They rarely missed their chances – they scored goals – won games.

The lack of a composed, consistent striker was easy to spot in the Socceroos shock 0-1 loss to Bahrain – it was one of many problems during that shemozzle of a match.

Awer Mabil reacts after the Socceroos waste another chance against Indonesia. Picture: Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

If you wipe out the opening 20 minutes of the game in Indonesia – the time it took for Australia to adjust to the bubble like pitch, 80,000 strong hostile crowd and whistle happy referee – their performance was improved.

But there are no most improved trophies in the World Cup qualifiers – all that counts is points on the board, something the Australian team is yet to gather.

There is no denying the Socceroos had a great deal more control over the game than they did against Bahrain – what they didn’t have was the composure to take advantage of the many opportunities they created.

By the end of the first half the Socceroos had taken nine shots at goal – they had 11 against Bahrain the entire match.

But football isn’t like Aussie rules – you don’t get a bonus point for missing the goal.

Just three of their nine shots were on target.

Irankunda showed serious promise with a wickedly powerful shot after a deft touch down the wing – it ricocheted off the post into the keeper and if Lady Luck had been on his side probably would have found the net on any other night.

Craig Goodwin had another chance at goal but lacked the composure to place the ball – instead sending it directly to the Indonesian keeper.

Coach Graham Arnold, though visibly frustrated from the sidelines, waited until the 62nd minute to make a change, tagging out Irankunda for midfielder Awer Mabil – a move that had many scratching their heads giving the youngster’s impressive efforts on the field.

Josh Nisbet and Adam Taggart were called into the fray just minutes later.

There was a fresh burst of energy and enthusiasm from the fresh legged players but as the clock wound down – the pitch deteriorated, Indonesia dug in and play turned scrappy – the foul count mounting.

The Socceroos were still creating chances – with 20 minutes left they had taken another seven shots at goal – with two on target. By the final whistle the count sat at 19 shots – five on target.

If the Socceroos want to stand any chance at not only qualifying for the 2026 World Cup but performing at the tournament they can’t let chances go begging. Especially not against a team ranked 133rd in the world while they sit 24th.

The battle could have been an easy 4-0 win.

Graham Arnold is still waiting for the Socceroos’ first goal in the World Cup qualifiers. Picture: Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Japan, Australia’s rivals in the next FIFA Window, are clinical in front of goal – they thumped China 7-0 in their opening round clash, before beating Bahrain 5-0 to put themselves firmly on top of the group.

It is a long qualifying process – with each of the six teams in the group playing each other in a home-and-away mini round robin style tournament.

But with a loss and a draw against Australia’s name, finishing as one of the top two teams is going to be incredibly difficult – especially with Saudi Arabia still to come.

Not finishing in the top two isn’t the end of the road – the Socceroos would then have to go through the play-offs, which is how they reached the last two editions of the tournament.

But either way if the Socceroos can’t find a way to score goals against their Asian opponents there will be no Australian representation at the 2026 World Cup.

It is as simple as that.

Socceroos will play China next in front of a home crowd in Adelaide on October 10.

They will then travel to play group leaders Japan on October 15.