An experimental Socceroos line-up has slumped to a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Venezuela, marking a second straight defeat under Tony Popovic.
Jesus Ramirez’s header in the 38th minute proved the difference at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
Few players, bar debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach, genuinely impressed in an uncharacteristically flat performance where Australia lacked drive, cohesion and potency and had just 34 per cent of possession.
Casseres Yepez and Mohamed Toure compete for the ball.Credit: AP
The Socceroos also lost defender Jason Geria to a left hamstring injury in the 42nd minute.
It will give Popovic plenty to think about with just three more friendlies before picking his squad for next year’s World Cup finals, starting with Wednesday’s clash with world No.13 Colombia in New York.
With Jordy Bos, Aziz Behich and Jacob Italiano among a lengthy injury list, Popovic turned to Craig Goodwin at left wing-back.
The experiment didn’t pay off, with Goodwin exposed for Venezuela’s goal then hooked for Callum Elder at half-time.
Popovic otherwise fielded a relatively youthful and inexperienced team against a similarly understrength Venezuela, who missed World Cup qualification.
Beach was selected ahead of Maty Ryan and Paul Izzo while Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin and Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstker, son of Socceroos assistant Paul Okon, also started on debut.
Al Hassan Toure was the fourth debutant in the 78th minute, after brother Mohamed had already been substituted.
Popovic has now debuted 12 players in 13 games, while Riley McGree and Jackson Irvine both returned from injury in the second half.
Nestory Irankunda on the ball.Credit: Getty Images for Soccer Australia
In the fifth minute, Goodwin slipped through Mohamed Toure who stood up a defender before goalkeeper Jose Contreras made a big save with his legs.
Toure fired into the side netting barely a minute later, but after that early flurry, Venezuela got on top.
Beach, who has been in wonderful form for Melbourne City, made an extraordinary reflex save to bat away Jesus Ramirez’s goal-bound header in the 17th minute.
For the goal, Goodwin was caught high up the pitch and Ender Echenique was released down the right wing, cut inside Trewin then squared the ball for Ramirez to tap home.
World No.50 Venezuela only grew in confidence and a minute into the second half Beach denied Ramirez with a diving save.
Trewin headed off target in the 49th minute, while Venezuela’s Alessandro Milani blasted over the bar in the 53rd minute.
McGree came on in the 66th minute and forced a save four minutes later.
The substitutes lifted Australia and Al Hassan Toure forced an excellent Contreras one-handed save in the 86th minute, but it proved too little too late.