EMBARRASSING. Unimaginative. Listless. Dour. Insipid.

All of those sum up Australia’s performance in Sunday's 6-0 mauling at the hands of Brazil.

Is Brazil a six-goal better side than the Socceroos? Perhaps.

But Australians never have or will accept such a woeful performance and for those who taped it, don’t bother watching a replay.

Brazil keeper Julio Cesar could’ve ran back-to-back salsa classes in his penalty box because it was virtually vacant for 90 minutes while the Socceroos could barely string four passes together.

So who’s to blame?

In sport it’s said you learn most during heavy defeats but it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say we learnt nothing Sunday because Holger Osieck trotted out a predictable first 11 while there were no surprises with his subs.

It’s a credit to Archie Thompson for rejuvenating his international career but what was to be gained from him being the first sub at 0-4 when Osieck knows him inside out?

Changes should’ve been made at half-time with the team 3-0 down.

What better time to introduce the younger brigade? Away to Brazil with the pressure off their shoulders.

Yet we had to wait until the 71st minute to see Tom Rogic, who appears ready to explode but is being oppressed by a national team coach loath to blood youth.

With Luke Wilkshire injured it was a perfect chance to give Rhys Williams a crack at right back considering that’s where he’s played most of his football with Middlesbrough - he’s Boro’s captain. Instead he went with a centre back in Ryan McGowan.

And while Mark Schwarzer needs minutes now that he’s not first choice for his club what if, for whatever reason, he doesn’t get to Brazil.

Will Mitch Langerak be ready? Sorry, not sure, because we never gave him a chance.

Based on Sunday’s selections, the sooner fringe Socceroos toiling in the A-League and abroad come to terms with the fact they won’t be going to Brazil 2014 the better because Osieck won’t be tinkering with his team anytime soon.

And anyone under the age of 23 may as well pick up their ball and go home and concentrate on Russia 2018.

The France friendly on October 11 all of a sudden becomes intriguing for all the wrong reasons.

Originally published as Who's to blame for 6-0 mauling?