Tuesday 24 June 2014 06:27, UK
Australia boss Ange Postecoglou admitted tiredness caught up with his side as they ended their World Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Spain.
Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata in Curitiba ensured Australia ended the tournament with no points and three defeats in Group B.
Postecoglou conceded it was not the way he wanted to end the tournament after running Chile and Netherlands close in their opening two games.
"Obviously it is a very disappointing way for us to finish," said Postecoglou.
"Full credit to Spain, they are a very good football side and after the first 10 or 15 minutes, when I thought we started well, they controlled the game.
"We looked a little tired. We have faced three world-class opponents (Holland and Chile) and particularly today we struggled."
We wanted to come to this World Cup and try and take it to three absolutely world class teams, and I think we’ve done that.
Despite losing all three of their games, Postecoglou believes they can take positives from their performances in Brazil as they prepare for the next World Cup in four years.
"From our perspective, we certainly got some positives out of the tournament and stuff we need to work on,” said Postecoglou in his post-match press conference.
“We wanted to come to this World Cup and try and take it to three absolutely world class teams, and I think we’ve done that.”
“What we’ve found out is we’re not at that quality yet.
"But in four years’ time, if we keep having that sort of intent, I think we’ll bridge the gap and hopefully come back and be the team that’s more dominant than the opposition."
