Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has slammed roles played by coach Pim Verbeek and skipper Lucas Neill following Australia's 4-0 World Cup humiliation by Germany.

Verbeek's decision to pick a five-man defensive midfield and play winger Richard Garcia in an unfamiliar lone striking role backfired badly as the three-time champions ripped the Socceroos apart in Durban on Monday (AEST).

Former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea stopper Bosnich said the team went into the game with a negative mindset and Neill had contributed to that with pre-match comments talking up the Germans.

"This game was lost before a ball was kicked ... to go out before the game and make out your opposition is superior at a pretty big press conference is a self-fulfilling prophecy," Bosnich told Fox Sports outside the stadium.

"Tonight was an embarrassing defeat.

"I am not having a go at Lucas personally, and I count him as a friend, and I don't know if he was told to say it, but to come out to say a team is superior before playing against them gives away your psyche to the opposition."

Bosnich said the thousands of fans who had travelled to South Africa to support the Socceroos had been let down and they deserved answers about Verbeek's extraordinary match selections.

"We can't build up a wall here, questions need to be answered. Why was Richard Garcia played up front?" he asked.

"What happened with Harry Kewell and Mark Bresciano (who didn't play)? Why was Tim Cahill made to do a press conference in the week when he plainly didn't want to?

"These people have paid good money to come out here and they deserve a good performance against Ghana."

Former Socceroos striker and fellow Fox Sport commentator Robbie Slater was equally critical of Verbeek and labelled the performance "un-Australian".

"We played with six midfielders and no recognised striker, you at least have to go out and try and win the game and we never did that," Slater said.

"You don't mind losing if you give it a shot, but we never did.

"Verbeek has done a great job getting us here and the Asia Cup, but he has to take much of the blame responsibility for this result."

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