Scott McDonald's international drought may have continued against Switzerland in St Gallen but one thing is for sure, the little man has a major role to play under new Socceroos coach Holger Osieck.
The German's first game in charge of the national team ended 0-0, but it was the most unlikely scoreless game you have ever seen. Both sides created a multitude of chances, and only for some outstanding goalkeeping at both ends plus plenty of profligacy from the strikers, this would have been a goal fest.
In the thick of the action, particularly in the first half, was McDonald, the man famously dumped by Pim Verbeek on the eve of the World Cup.
McDonald was told by the Dutchman that he just couldn’t play in Australia's 4-2-3-1 system and so he wasn't aboard the Qantas flight as it headed to South Africa. We're not sure how McDonald would have felt when he saw Verbeek's extraordinary team sheet for the first World Cup match against Germany, but given his penchant for a wry grin, you can probably guess.
That cheeky wry grin was in evidence on multiple occasions on Friday night and McDonald went close to finally opening his account in his 17th Socceroo appearance on several occasions. Considering how many times over the past few years we have seen McDonald gobble up those sorts of chances at club level for Celtic and Middlesbrough, it beggars belief how he could not have scored. The Socceroos shirt seems to be kryptonite for Super Mac.
But the fact he got himself into such dangerous positions on so many occasions would have pleased Osieck no end. The German opted for a 4-4-2 and McDonald relished playing off Tim Cahill. He also enjoyed being given 90 minutes to show what he can do, something he was never given under Verbeek. Osieck was happy with him and hopefully McDonald will get another 90 against Poland next week.
On the whole, the attacking set-up looked terrific, with Brett Holman and Brett Emerton getting forward in support of Cahill and McDonald. All four of them got involved, casting further doubts on whether Australia really needs Harry Kewell, and the requisite baggage he carries, still in the team.
Josh Kennedy and McDonald seem a natural combination when the big striker is next available, with Cahill able to slip into the middle of the park where he is more comfortable.
It is up the other end of the park where Osieck will have his concerns. Skipper Lucas Neill had a tough day at the office and conceded a foolish penalty, which was fortunately put over the bar by the Swiss captain. Despite having spent the past five years in the central defensive role for his country, doubts still persist over whether Neill would be better served playing at full back.
The issue is Australia have no depth in the centre back position and while Matthew Spiranovic got his chance in this match, he didn't exactly put his name up in lights. Over on the left, there are still major problems in defence with David Carney offering plenty in attack but not enough in defence. It is not his fault. To put it simply, he is a wing-back not a full back and Osieck has already admitted he has headaches in that area.
Oseick must take Mark Schwarzer to the Asian Cup in January, He may be 38 next month, but he is still far and away the best stopper Australia have. His performance against Switzerland was further proof that the Socceroos need him for as long as he can pull on a pair of boots.
If this was a match all about the means, rather than the ends, then Osieck will be happy. It could also mark an end to the era of pragmatism which has dominated the Socceroos landscape over the past four years.
McDonald, for one, will be delighted about that.