Tim Cahill considers Australia's first-round exit from the World Cup as more of an achievement than a failure.

Cahill, Jason Culina and Josh Kennedy returned to Sydney on Friday following Australia's elimination from Group D.

A 4-0 loss to Germany was followed by two improved performances in a 1-1 draw with Ghana and a 2-1 win over Serbia. Cahill said although Australia had a bad start, the team's improvement in the last two matches gave some reason for optimism.

Australia advanced to the round of 16 four years ago in Germany, losing to eventual champion Italy.

"People see it as somewhat of a failure but I look at it as we've achieved something, because it was a bad start but we picked it up and did really well," the Everton midfielder said at Sydney Airport.

Outgoing coach Pim Verbeek opted to start without a specialist striker against Germany, leaving usual spearhead Kennedy on the bench. Kennedy stopped short of criticising Verbeek, but was surprised and disappointed by his omission from the opening match.

"Yeah, definitely, I expected to play but it didn't turn out that way," Kennedy said.

Asked if Verbeek came up with a mistaken game plan against Germany, Kennedy said: "We lost 4-0, so obviously those tactics for that game plan didn't work."

Cahill said Australia had missed a chance to progress deep into the tournament, with some lesser-talented teams advancing.

"I'm definitely gutted but, the thing is, it is what it is and you've got to get on with it," Cahill said.

"It's probably one of the weirdest experiences for me as a footballer, having such a weird start in the World Cup and nearly being over, to finishing on a high."

Australia had nine players over 30 in its World Cup squad.

"We might have a few older players retiring, but I'm positive for Australian football," Cahill said.

Like Cahill, Culina said he was optimistic about Australia's future heading into a busy next 12 months, which includes the Asian Cup early in 2011 and the start of a new World Cup qualifying campaign a few months later.

"I think it's looking bright," Culina said.

"If you look in our squad at the moment, there's a good mix of experienced players and some good young players coming through."

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