Socceroos greats slam Australia’s tactics after heavy defeat to France at FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Australia’s strategy and lack of perseverance in their humble opening defeat to France at the World Cup have been criticized by Socceroos legends, who claim the Aussies were ‘not in the game’ after scoring first.

The Socceroos took a shocking early lead through Craig Goodwin’s brilliant finish and trailed the reigning champions for much of the opening 20 minutes.

However, Les Bleus’ class eventually shone through as Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud completely turned the game around within four minutes, while Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann terrorized the Australian defence.

Socceroos legends claim the Aussies ‘were not in the game’ after scoring against France early Wednesday morning

Les Bleus’ class shone through as Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud completely turned the game around in four minutes, while Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann terrorized the Aussie defense

Mbappe added another after the break, before Giroud completed his double against an Aussie defense line that looked fragile at best.

Australia struggled to keep possession throughout the game and put pressure on themselves with silly mistakes.

At half-time, Socceroo’s goalkeeping great Mark Bosnich labeled the French goals ‘utterly avoidable’.

Football legend Harry Kewell was scathing about the team’s decision not to put pressure on their opponents after shocking them with that early goal.

Socceroos legend Harry Kewell (pictured) was scathing about the Australian’s tactics for not putting pressure on their opponents after shocking them with an early goal

“I just think if we had been on their heels, spinning France’s back line, we could have given them a little more trouble,” he said.

“And it has turned out to be such an easy game for France.”

John Aloisi and Bosnich both questioned coach Graham Arnold’s tactics in the second half as the Socceroos seemed too shy to take the game to Les Bleus.

The Socceroos allowed the French to score 44 times in their box, while the Aussies managed just 12 – the fewest ever in a Socceroos World Cup match.

Aloisi (pictured) was also critical of the Socceroos’ passive approach – they let their opponents move the ball easily and often unchallenged.

“Just asking around, in the second half, if Graham could have changed the approach. In the end, the pattern of the match was already set,” said Aloisi.

“At a certain point don’t you say: wait a minute, we have to go higher in the park here?” Bosch said.

Aloisi was also critical of the Socceroos’ passive approach, as they let their opponents move the ball easily, often without being challenged.

“I’m still pretty disappointed, so Arnie said after the game to pick up the boys, and he’s going to,” said Aloisi.

“He has to because when I feel like that, imagine how the players feel because they are completely outclassed.

“After our goal, we weren’t in the game. That was it, that was done, and they completely dominated us and created chance after chance.

Bosnich (pictured) also argued that the result against France shows how poor Australia’s junior talent trajectories are compared to the French systems

“We have found no way, no solution. Arnie shared how happy he was with the first half. I’d say happy with the first 15 minutes, but then they dominated us.’

Bosnich also argued that the result against France shows how poor Australia’s junior talent trajectories are compared to the French systems.

“You’re seeing the results of that now, and you’re seeing the difference in class and quality,” he said.

“That’s the biggest question here: what is Australian football going to do in the future to see our players become like this one day?

Australia will then play Tunisia on Saturday night before meeting Denmark in the final Group D game at 2am on Thursday 1 December

‘Five World Cup appearances, all well and good, but what? But what? A last 16 place in over 100 years. So what are you going to do about that? That’s the biggest question.’

Australia will then play Tunisia on Saturday night before meeting Denmark in the final Group D game at 2am on Thursday 1 December.