Football: After this they will fear us, says coach of ousted Socceroos

Tim Cahill's spectacular volley to score against the Netherlands is being hailed as the goal of the World Cup so far. Photo / AP

Heartbroken but intensely proud, Ange Postecoglou says his Socceroos have set a benchmark that can help them become a feared attacking force in world football.

But that doesn't ease the pain of defeat to the Netherlands and a World Cup campaign over at the group stage.

"It's a heartbreaker mate," said Postecoglou after the Socceroos mostly dominated the Dutch, but lost 3-2 in a World Cup classic in Porto Alegre. The defeat, and Chile's subsequent triumph against Spain, consigns Australia to departing Brazil after their final group match against also-ousted Spain on Tuesday.

Talisman Tim Cahill, who struck a screamer of a goal, will miss that game through suspension. He copped his second yellow card of the tournament, yet ends his World Cup career after scoring a dazzling volley many were calling the goal of the tournament.

"At home in my garden I score like that every day but this is what's it's all about," Cahill said. "Football is all about these moments. And what better place to do it than in the home of football."

Cahill's mercurial moment came as the unfancied Australians, the lowest-ranked side in Brazil, almost pulled off one of the great World Cup heists, dominating and leading 2-1 against the team that had thrashed reigning champions Spain 5-1.

"We did everything we needed to do today bar win the game," Postecoglou said. "That has got to be our benchmark moving forward."

Postecoglou refused to blame goalkeeper Mat Ryan for a gaffe which gifted the Dutch the match-winning goal; nor Mathew Leckie for failing to nod in a close-range header seconds earlier.

"We win as a team, we lose as a team," he said.

Postecoglou said the inspired display, after a tournament-opening 1-3 loss to Chile, evidenced his mission to make the Socceroos a serious player in the world game was on track.

"People were saying we weren't going to score a goal and we would just try and survive," he said. "In both games we [took] it to the opposition.

"I firmly believe that we have just started on this journey. The goal is to come back in four years' time, that they fear us before we get on the pitch as much as they fear us on the pitch now.

"There is no doubt now both Chile and the Dutch know they have been in a game and respect ... our football."

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal heaped praise on Postecoglou and the "fanatical" approach of the Australians.

"Australia is a ... tough team to play against, well organised," van Gaal said. "This coach [Postecoglou] is really good. He allows his team to play an attacking game."

- AAP