DALLAS, TEXAS — Football Australia’s Executive Director of Football Heather Garriock says “there’s always more left in us” but that the roof body are “satisfied” by the Socceroos’ Round of 32 penalty shootout exit to Egypt.

Garriock, in charge of football matters at FA, was grilled on the Socceroos style, Tony Popovic’s choices and tactics and the future of the side after the 1-1 draw, that was decided from the penalty spot.

Speaking to media in the aftermath of the Australia’s World Cup exit, Garriock responded to comments by former Socceroos captain Mark Milligan about building on this World Cup a vision for the game, promising to deliver one that will underpin the future of the Socceroos and Matildas.

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According to Garriock, it will underpin the profile of player that starts to get developed across the country and form part of Australia’s coach education. “Principles,” she added, that pave the way for national team coaches to then devise their plans and tactics to bring this to life.

Tony Popovic in Seattle. Photo: Getty Images

“In Australia we’ve we’ve lacked a DNA of football and the Australian way of playing and that’s one thing that we need to embark on,” she said.

“I think when commentators and pundits talk about Australians, whether it’s men or women, at Senior or Youth International, it’s about we’ve always had a physical nature, we’ve had that mentality that is never say die, and it’s a character of being able to play until the end.

“We don’t want to be just that. We want to make sure we can play football. We’ve got to have a defensive mindset within the Socceroos, which has been fantastic and that certainly worked for us. But creativity is really important; being adaptable, flexible and versatile is really important for the Australian way of playing.”

She did, however, distinguish between setting a vision and demanding the tactics. That will remain the purview of Tony Popovic and Joe Montemurro with Matildas, with eyes now on how the Socceroos evolve heading into the Asian Cup in six months.

“One thing is missing in Australia, and that’s a long-term vision for the game,” Garriock said.

Heather Garriock (R) with Martin Kugeler, FA CEO, and Matildas coach Joe Montemurro.

“And that’s my job as the executive director.

“It’s going to come from the board, it’s going to come for the football department to implement it. And we do need direction. We do need a football strategy, and we will be developing one.

“That’s one of our key priorities. And from a football methodology point of view, how we play, how we play the Australian way is really really important for us.”

Football Australia handed Popovic a new contract on the eve of the World Cup, before a ball was kicked. Garriock explained why they made that call.

“One thing is for sure: bringing in Tony Popovic as the coach some 18 months ago and him lifting the elite standards of our national teams, not just on the field but off the field as well, is what makes us proud.

“And the one key thing, and the reason why we signed Tony Popovic prior to the World Cup or 24 hours before the World Cup is because we’re in a unique situation. We’ve got six months until we embark on another major competition, the Asian Cup. And for us, stability and for the players and for the staff was important. And I really feel this is only going help the team grow for the Asia Cup and our expectation is high for the Asia Cup for this group.”

Crucial appointments loom, with a head of womens and mens football to be appointed, which will also feed into talent identification and scouting to ensure talent identification improves across the country.

“Australia’s a large country, but not just in Australia as well. We’ve got talent overseas that have got dual citizenship,” Garriock added.

“(We need to make sure) we capitalise on everything. We need to talent ID our quality athletes, Australians have got a great physical nature about them and how we capture them early, but keep them in the funnel as well, keeping in mind that there’s different ways to make it to the top and we do have late developers.”