Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has hailed his “brave” squad, revealing a virus swept through the camp in the build-up to Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Colombia in New York.
The setback was Australia’s third successive defeat on the road to next year’s FIFA World Cup, but for a large part of the contest, it was an improved effort from the disappointing display in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Venezuela.
The Socceroos hung on for 76 minutes before a penalty from Colombia’s captain James Rodriguez, after a foul from Socceroos substitute Callum Elder on Santiago Arias, broke Australia’s resistance.
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A stoppage-time goal from Jefferson Lerma, from a Rodriguez corner, rubbed further salt into the Socceroos’ wounds.
It was a disappointing end to the match for the Socceroos, who worked hard to stay in the contest before the floodgates opened.
However, Popovic praised his players’ resilience in battling illness to play the game.
“They didn’t train on Sunday (Monday AEDT) – the whole group was sick in bed,” Popovic said.
“We kept that quiet because the players wanted to keep that quiet, so it’s a credit to them.
“We had a virus through the whole squad, including the staff.
“We put up a really good, brave performance, and I’m actually surprised at how well they did because physically they were clearly nowhere near it.”
“For 75 (minutes) we did very well … (but) the result blows out a little bit with two soft goals in the last minutes.
“It was a shame for the players because I thought they were very good.”
Popovic made five changes to the team that started in the weekend loss to Venezuela.
Keeper Izzo, defenders Cameron Burgess and Kye Rowles, and midfielders Jackson Irvine and Riley McGree came into the starting team.
Out went Melbourne City gloveman Patrick Beach, injured defender Jason Geria, Adelaide United veteran Craig Goodwin, Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler and teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda.
For Irvine, who wore the captain’s armband, and McGree, it was long-awaited returns to Australia’s starting team after both made their international comebacks from injuries off the bench against Venezuela.
Irvine, who also captains German Bundesliga club St. Pauli. lasted an hour before he was replaced by Netherlands-based Max Balard.
For Colombia, Diaz was dangerous whenever he found space, forcing a good save out of Izzo in the 23rd minute.
Socceroos prepare to face Colombia | 05:09
The former Liverpool winger also let fly with a dangerous long-distance strike in the 35th minute that flew just wide of the post.
The Socceroos only genuine chance of the opening stanza came on the stroke of half-time when McGree free-kick was well saved by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Five minutes after the break, Socceroos striker Mohamed Toure tried an overhead kick that flew over the crossbar.
The Colombians replied 11 minutes later with a Johan Mojica shot that was tipped over the bar by Izzo.
Elder’s foul on Arias, which Popovic believed the Socceroos would not have been given if roles were reversed, proved to be the beginning of the end for the Australians.
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