AMMAN Socceroo Massimo Luongo has questioned his effectiveness in an unusual role as a right winger following Australia's shock 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat away to Jordan.
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Coach Ange Postecoglou made the surprising decision to use the central midfielder in a far more advanced and attacking role than he's accustomed to which Luongo admits he's struggling to adapt.
The industrious 23-year-old was named the best player of the tournament as Australia marched to the 2015 Asian Cup title where he played solely as a central midfielder. However, he couldn't make a similar impact in Amman on Thursday night in his new position.
He didn't criticise the selection policy placing him out wide, but said it was difficult to play that unaccustomed role with so many similar players surrounding him.
"I understand why [Postecoglou] plays me there. Personally I think as well, I'm a lot better in my ability in tighter roles compared to other players so I understand why he plays me there," Luongo said.
"I think sometimes it gets a bit of an overload between me, whoever's playing on the other side - Tommy Oar or Tommy Rogic - and me.
"I think we all sort of want to get in that area and it causes me or the other strikers to go for a plan B and, as you know me, I'm not a winger so it's a bit difficult."
Luongo was unsure whether he would play in that position again where it is difficult to play to his strengths.
"I do this for the team and I understand that's the role the boss wants me to play at the moment. Whether he still wants me to play, I don't know?" he said.
The loss to Jordan stunned the Asian Champions, who had no reply to their opponents' pace on the counter and congestion in the midfield.
The players were particularly unhappy at being unravelled by an aimless long ball which led to Jordan's first goal minutes after half-time.
Luongo believes the result was a wake-up call for the Socceroos who can't expect to come back after going a goal down away from home.
"We were good enough to do it. We do play a controlling football, but there is a risk element to it. I think we won't steer away from where we're trying to go with our football, but might have to be more cautious.
"We know what can hurt us now. It's a massive learning curve today," he said.
