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Veteran defender Craig Moore has declared the Socceroos’ organisational shambles against Germany a “blip” that they can fix ahead of Saturday’s must-win World Cup clash with Ghana.
Moore said the Socceroos were hurting badly after their 4-0 defeat by Germany – a result which has prompted a heavy backlash in Australia about the team’s performance and the tactics used by coach Pim Verbeek.
Moore said it was up to the players to organise themselves better on-field – something he felt was lacking against Germany.
The Socceroos conceded as many goals in 90 minutes as they did throughout their entire 14-match Asian qualifying campaign when organisation, particularly in defence, was their trademark.
“We need to be better organised as a team. That was a blip (against Germany),” Moore said.
“That’s something that as a team we’re well organised and I still believe we can get back to that.
“We have good players who can score goals.
“It’s never nice to be on the end of such a heavy defeat … but you need to pick the pieces up extremely quickly.
“You can’t let it drag on.”
Moore, who is likely to quit football after the World Cup, said the world would find out a lot about the Socceroos’ ability to bounce back in Saturday’s match in Rustenburg.
Australia must win both their remaining matches to qualify for the tournament’s second stage and match their 2006 finish.
“This is when you find out about your team – it is a test of character,” Moore said.
“The Australian character for me is a fighting character that wants to do well.
“Now we’re in a position where that’s exactly what we have to do.
“If we don’t go out and get the result against Ghana we’re out of the tournament.”
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