The Socceroos went close to pulling off a shock victory over Denmark in Group C of the World Cup in Samara on Thursday before settling for a 1-1 draw, with a Mile Jedinak first-half penalty cancelling out a stunning Christian Eriksen opener.
Australia more than matched the higher-ranked Danes, but could not find the killer punch to clinch that much-needed victory.
Here are our player ratings for the Aussies:
Mat Ryan – 8: Powerless to stop Eriksen’s thunderbolt but comfortably dealt with any other threats during the game, coolly handled an awkward moment with a potential own goal from Sainsbury
Mark Milligan – 7: Solid effort at the back, rarely troubled, could have been at fault for Eriksen’s goal but in truth few defences would have prevented that wonder-strike
Trent Sainsbury – 7: Saved by Ryan from an embarrassing own goal, but composed apart from that showing good pace to get back and clean up Jorgensen’s breaks on more than one occasion
Josh Risdon – 8: An assured performance and found Nabbout with some searching balls, one superb tackle to dispossess Eriksen with ease
Aziz Behich – 9 : Got forward with some searing runs down the left and a tidy afternoon at the back forming a solid back four with Risdon, Milligan and Sainsbury, created some of the Socceroos most dangerous moments bursting forward
Mile Jedinak – 7: Didn’t do much before the penalty but put it away comfortably, cool and calm cleaning up at the back, kept the Australian defence well organised all day
Aaron Mooy – 8: Made one superb dis-possession on Schone, kept the Australian midfield ticking over, one rocket from outside the box went just past the right post
Mathew Leckie – 9: Superb ninety-minute effort, free header early on but couldn’t find the target. Brilliant work around the box to set-up a chance for Kruse, got the header to win the penalty
Robbie Kruse – 8: Got more involved in the first five minutes than the entire game against France, roamed on both flanks trying to create something. Substituted on 67 minutes for Arzani.
Tom Rogic – 8: Pulled a chance wide early on, but kept fighting hard through the middle, a long-range shot tested Schmeichel in the second half.
Andrew Nabbout – 7: Held the ball up well for Rogic and kept the Danish defence honest all day with his tireless running. Dislocated shoulder in 73rd minute saw his afternoon finish painfully.
Subs:
Daniel Arzani – 8: Came on for Kruse after 67 minutes with the hope of sparking something in the final third, bright and dangerous with every touch, constantly probed the Danish defence who soon doubled up on him, real talent for the future.
Tomi Juric – 7: Onfor the injured Nabbout after 73 minutes, made some good runs but didn’t get the service to find the winner, got in Leckie’s way to spoil a late chance
Jackson Irvine – 5: Strange substitution, surprisingly brought on instead of Tim Cahill with ten minutes left, won a free kick on half way.