Everything had to go right for the Socceroos on the final match day in Group C for them to make the knockout stages – but firstly they had to beat Peru.
That task was well beyond Bert van Marwijk‘s side as they were easily outclassed by the already eliminated La Blanquirroja with goals by Andre Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero giving Peru a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Matt Ryan – 6: Not at fault for first or second goal, did what was asked, not much more
Josh Risdon – 5: Got forward well down the right, winning a free kick in a promising position, but had a busy day with the Peru attackers regularly giving him the slip
Trent Sainsbury – 6: Solid at the back as always and got into good positions in front of goal but just couldn’t find that header that Australia desperately needed
Mark Milligan – 5: Caught out for the second goal when he failed to close down Guerroro and was shown up for pace most of the game by the speedy Peru front line
Aziz Behich – 7: Given lots of time and space down the left, could have done better to block Carrillo’s goal, went very close with a left foot strike in the second half
Mile Jedinak – 5: Lucky to only see a yellow for a clumsy high foot early on, some telling long passes to put runners away, caught out badly with the second goal as the attacker breezed passed him
Aaron Mooy – 6: Controlled the midfield well, with some lovely touches and telling intercepts, his service when Cahill came on was poor however with his tame crosses easily cut out
Mathew Leckie – 7: Continually used as the focal point for crosses when Tim Cahill would have seemed a much better option, couldn’t get onto the end of a tempting Kruse cross in the first half, had some chances in the second half but hesitated rather than pulling the trigger
Tom Rogic – 6: One superb run through the middle of the Peru defence deserved a goal, but apart from that was well-controlled by the Peru backline, subbed for Irvine on 72 minutes
Robbie Kruse – 6: Got into some good positions down the left without having the courage to go for goal or deliver the killer pass, subbed for Arzani on 57 minutes
Tomi Juric – 5: Seemed a little off the pace, did well holding up the ball but Australia really needed an old fashion goal scorer, subbed for Cahill on 52 minutes
Subs:
Tim Cahill – 5: Finally given a run when the game was gone at 2-0, tried hard but showed he was well past his best at this level and van Marwijk was right not to use him earlier
Daniel Arzani – 6: Introduced on 57 minutes with Australia needing three goals, showed his usual energy but struggled to get involved in the game as he tucked into a more central role
Jackson Irvine – 5: Came on at 72 minute for Rogic, did nothing of any note as he has done for all three of his World Cup appearances, name might as well have been Jordan for the mentions he got
