NOT surprisingly the Socceroos were this morning bundled out of the FIFA World Cup’s group stage for the third tournament in succession.

A 2-0 loss to Peru wasn’t the reason why Australia made a quick exit from Russia, the problems are much deeper than the regular Socceroos cheerleaders would have us believe.

Sure, we’re the reigning Asian champions but we’re lumped in a poor performing confederation despite having more than half of the world’s population surrounding the Asian Football Confederation.

In 16 FIFA World Cup finals matches since the first time Australia qualified in 1974, the Socceroos have won just twice - a 2006 3-1 win over Japan in Germany and a 1-0 win over Serbia in 2010 in South Africa.

And one word which has been bandied too many times lately is “unlucky.”

Nonsense. They finished last in their group in Russia. Facts are telling the truth.

Now is the time to work together to ensure the Socceroos - which is a much-loved national team as TV ratings and social media prove - never suffers an early embarrassing exit from the FIFA World Cup again.

Here’s my 10-point plan for the Socceroos salvation.

1. We urgently need goalscorers

Australia needs proven goalscorers and now.

Scout the best strikers in the world, like for example Argentina’s Mauro Icardi (who is already capped four times by the way and won’t qualify) in a bid to naturalise them. Icardi is watching this tournament on holidays. Australia has already missed that boat for the 2022 Qatar World Cup because of FIFA’s five year eligibility rules. Imagine if Icardi was made an Aussie. The 25-year-old has scored 110 goals for Inter Milan and Sampdoria in 190 matches. Now that’s a goal machine.

2. Employ Bert van Marwijk permanently

The clever Dutchman has a superb understanding of the game. He worked extremely well with a squad which wasn’t expected to earn a point. Van Marwijk must be employed to coach our elite coaches.

3. Review Football Federation Australia’s entire development plan

FFA staff or the government shouldn’t touch this one. Just hand it to a group which should feature our finest Socceroos including Mark Viduka, John Aloisi, John Kosmina, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Craig Moore, Vincenzo Grella, Mark Bresciano, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Tony and Aurelio Vidmar to name a few.

They should make the call. This body must remain independent in a bid to rid nepotism which is rife among other things from the game especially in SA.

PM's message on Socceroos World Cup loss PM's message on Socceroos World Cup loss

4. Boost national investment

The federal government must invest more in soccer.

They need to build us more 20,000 capacity stadiums all over the country and eventually clubs should own them. The code is far too big to share monstrous stadiums with other football codes.

5. Education and training are critical

The education department should also take charge of the entire junior soccer program. This will police our development which is an utter disgrace at the moment. Academies must be also part of this schools process. Affiliated clubs should only field three teams - seniors, reserves and under-18s unless they have a development program equal to what Barcelona can provide.

6. Expand the A-League

The A-League needs to be expanded to 16 teams as soon as possible in a bid to make more players professional.

7. A second division

We need a second division with promotion and relegation to the A-League. At the moment the A-League is an easy ride for mediocre clubs.

8. Get the timing right

The A-League, NPL and juniors should all be playing at the same time. All competitions should start in March and end in December. Fear of competition from other codes is for losers.

9. Cut back on imports

The A-League needs to reduce imports from five to three. No import should have a salary of less than $1 million net per season. This will rid the many average imports that have graced Australia. NPL should pay visa players a minimum $50,000 net a season, if they can’t afford it, too bad. Our kids playing should be the priority.

10. Funding transparency

If the education department doesn’t step in as per No. 5 in the plan, all clubs and state federations must be transparent and show exactly where junior fees are going. Junior funding is paying first team wages in semi professional competitions. Wrong. If teams cannot show exactly where junior fees are headed should be banned from having them.