Assistant coach Mile Jedinak has defended Australia's widely-criticised starting line-up and approach in their loss to the United States as the Socceroos eye a World Cup response against Paraguay.
Australia will need to brush off their 2-0 loss to the United States and either beat or draw with Paraguay on Thursday (Friday AEST) in Santa Clara to finish second in Group D.
Otherwise, the Socceroos face a wait to confirm their progress as a best third-placed team.
Former Socceroos in Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer, Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater criticised Tony Popovic's starting line-up and how Australia froze up against the US.
Popovic's call to bench Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, who both scored against Turkey, for Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay, backfired and has come under intense criticism.
