A Chilean player admitted to cheating as star-struck Australia suffered stage fright in a galling opening World Cup loss.

Australian striker Tim Cahill says Chile's 3-1 win in Cuiaba came down to respect: the Socceroos showed their opponents too much and their opponents showed soccer none.

Cahill says his Chilean marker Gonzalo Jara admitted to cheating in a feisty fixture at the Arena Pantanal.





The Australians opened with frayed nerves on soccer's biggest stage and conceded two goals in three minutes.









Postecoglou conceded his players were "overawed" early.

But he praised a spirited fightback which only ended in injury time when Chilean substitute Jean Beausejour scored his nation's third goal.

"The players are very disappointed because they sensed that the game was there for them and they thought they could get something out of the game," Postecoglou said.

"So to walk off and cop that late goal, it's very deflating."

The defeat came at a cost, with defender Ivan Franjic suffering a left hamstring strain which is set to end his World Cup.

And three Australians - Cahill, captain Mike Jedinak and Mark Milligan - must tread carefully: all got yellow cards and will be suspended for a match if they receive another one.