Spiranovic, the most experienced international in Australia’s relatively untried defence, is adamant the rearguard cannot repeat the same mistakes in Wednesday’s clash against The Netherlands and in their final group clash with Spain.

The Socceroos’ defensive frailties were exposed by a ruthless Chilean outfit on Saturday morning [AEST] in their opening match in Cuiaba, where the brilliant Alexis Sanchez scored one goal and then set up another in the first 15 minutes.

“With the first one, we probably had a chance to clear it but unfortunately it fell straight to him,” Spiranovic said. “But for the second one, I think – I don’t want to name names or anything – but we probably over-compensated somewhere in defence, and allowed a free man on the edge of the box. I think we actually had enough cover there [for Sanchez].

“I think Ivan [Franjic] wanted to cover “Wilko” [Alex Wilkinson] because there was a runner [Chilean attacking midfielder Jorge Valdivia, who scored the goal] there but we had enough cover.”

While it all looked to be going pear-shaped at that time, the Socceroos regrouped and fought their way back into the game. The defence, led by Spiranovic, tightened up and helped lay a platform for counter-attacks.

“It was very important that we kept our heads and stayed composed because it can turn ugly. I think the boys did a fantastic job,” he said. “We got ourselves back in the game, I think we had them for long period of the second half and you could see they were getting frustrated and they were really struggling. We had some great opportunities and some very close calls. Unfortunately we couldn’t make them pay.

“I thought we were better than 3-1 and I don’t think the result truly reflected the game. Timmy’s goal obviously got us back in the game and after that we had our chances and they looked dead on their feet, to be fair.”

Spiranovic reckoned Jean Beausejour’s injury-time clincher for Chile was purely a result of Australia pushing in search of a second goal.

“I think so, but the luck was also with them. The ball deflected straight off Matt [Ryan] in went straight back to their player and he finished it well,” he said. “Obviously at that stage we were really pushing for that equaliser and unfortunately we conceded that third goal which, I think, doesn’t really reflect the game.

“We have to take the positives from this performance, learn from our mistakes and look to the next game.”

The Dutch looked irrepressible as they dismantled Spain on on the same day, arguably presenting themselves as a real title contender in the process.

“We saw bits and pieces [of that game] in the hotel and the change rooms. It’s not going to get any easier. Spain are ranked number one in the world and they lost 5-1, so there’s huge challenges ahead,” Spiranovic said. “But we have to keep our heads up. There was still a lot character shown out there by the boys and they should still be proud of their performance.”

While some might be thinking The Netherlands could run amok if the Socceroos defence aren’t on their game in Porto Alegre, Spiranovic believes there’s no point in having a defeatist attitude.

“We have to believe. We’ve got nothing to lose, they’re world class opponents, but we have to go out there on the front foot and test them,” he said. “If they’re too good on the day, than so be it, but we can’t just give it to them. We have to make them earn it and that’s what we’ll be looking to do in the next game."