Had Australia played like this from the start, they rather than Ghana might have qualified for the knockout stages in South Africa. Instead, in the words of their coach, Pim Verbeek, they were “killed” by the opening 4-0 defeat by Germany. With Tim Cahill restored to lead the Socceroos, Australia looked an infinitely better proposition and was with a trademark header that they took the lead against a Serb side who for the second World Cup running fell at the group stages. Had Australia added to Brett Holman’s second they might have pipped Ghana on goal difference but returned home to a better reception than they might have expected after their first match.