During the Socceroos 2-1 loss in their opening group game against France at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Australia produced one of country’s finest defensive displays at a finals tournament.

Australia kept France’s attack at bay until the 58th minute when they controversially fell behind to a disputed VAR penalty that still has the football world split about whether it was the correct decision.

The Socceroos equalised soon after and looked headed for a deserved 1-1 draw, until France found a winner late in the game via a lucky deflection to Manchester United star Paul Pogba.

While Australia’s defensive performance was viewed as gallant and brave, the team’s attack told a different story with Mile Jedinak’s penalty proving to be the Socceroos only shot on goal.

With this in mind, Katholos who was one of the Socceroos’ brightest attacking talents says Australian coach van Marwijk must make changes ahead the next group game against the Danes.

“Petratos is also a player that can give you a through ball, that can shoot from distance and can score goals.”

“The tactics against France were perfect but there were a few things that could’ve been better,” he tells Neos Kosmos.

“We must keep possession against Denmark and we need players that can break a defence open. To win the game we need to go forward and you need to have players that can create opportunities and chances.”

According to Katholos, the players the Socceroos need include Australia’s rising star Daniel Arzani – who got a few minutes against France – and Greek Australian Dimi Petratos.

“If we pick Arzani and Petratos we are playing players that are more dangerous,” he says.

“Then maybe we have a chance at  scoring goals. The coach is very good. He knows that he needs to score goals and that he has to make changes.

“Arzani is a must because he can create something out of nothing, he is a great talent. He is the X factor. Petratos is also a player that can give you a through ball, that can shoot from distance and can score goals. If we have those types of players on the park we have a really good opportunity to win the game.”