Coach Graham Arnold is under pressure from his critics after Australia's stuttering start to the Asian Cup, with claims that he is too chummy with his players.
Before the tournament Arnold declared it would be a failure for Australia not to reach the final but they struggled in the 1-1 draw with Oman in their opening game.
Former Socceroo and television commentator Craig Foster believes the team lack discipline and said the players were "taking liberties."
Photo: AFP
"It was an extremely poor performance and that's being kind. I think the guys have lost their tactical discipline," Foster said.
He added that the cohesion developed by former coach Guus Hiddink to guide Australia into the second round of the World Cup had broken down with his former assistant Arnold in charge.
"None of the guys played to their capabilities and that's the real point," Foster told local radio.
"Against Oman and Singapore the previous weekend it looks as though the danger is that they play below themselves and go back to [being] an average team.
"Before, our players got the ball they knew exactly where it was supposed to go and they knew where their teammates were going to be. I think the system has broken down.
"All of a sudden players are starting to take liberties. Our distribution is extremely poor.
"Serious questions have got to be asked, as they have been for the last six months, of Graham Arnold in the role. At the moment he is up against coaches who are far more experienced," Foster said.
Former national coach Rale Rasic, one of only two men to guide the Socceroos to the World Cup, believes Arnold is not strict enough with his players.
"Graham has been there for so long and I don't want to be personal but you can't be friends with the players," Rasic told Australian Associated Press.
? 'Iran go home'
AFP, KUALA LUMPUR
Youngster Aziz Haydarov delivered a cheeky message to Uzbekistan's opening Asian Cup opponents yesterday: "Iran go home."
Haydarov scribbled the words on a piece of paper and held it up for media ahead of Uzbekistan's Group C opener against the regional giants.
The under-23 captain was bullish about Uzbekistan's chances, pointing to the earlier matches where not one of the favorites has won.
"All teams have come to Malaysia to win and qualify for the next round. There are no easy opponents in this tournament - look at Oman drawing 1-1 with Australia," the 22-year-old said. "If we build our game in the proper way we can have success."
But his coach said a draw would be a good result for Uzbekistan.
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