Socceroos captain admits team must improve after Indonesia loss

The Socceroos faced a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bahrain during their FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Robina Stadium. The defeat was compounded by a red card issued to striker Kusini Yengi in the 77th minute, which left the team with ten players. An own goal by Harry Souttar in the dying moments sealed the loss for Australia. Captain Mat Ryan expressed that the team played too naively and emphasized the need to work smarter rather than harder in their upcoming match against Indonesia in Jakarta. Ryan highlighted the importance of asking the right questions during the game and criticized the team's inability to challenge the opposition's defense effectively. He noted that failing to score early allowed Bahrain to maintain a compact formation, making it difficult for the Socceroos to break through. The goalkeeper had a quiet night, indicating a lack of offensive pressure from the Australian side. Coach Graham Arnold acknowledged Bahrain's performance but expressed frustration with their time-wasting tactics and play-acting. He pointed out that the match saw only 46 minutes of actual play, which hindered the flow of the game. Arnold urged his team to quickly recover from this setback and learn from the experience, as they have nine more games in Group C to secure their World Cup qualification. The Socceroos are now tasked with demonstrating resilience and character in their next match against Indonesia, as they aim to bounce back and show their competitive spirit in the face of adversity.