Mitch Nichols cameo could change Osieck's mind Mitch Nichols To play your first game in months, come off the bench and enjoy a key role in changing the dynamics of an international game is not a bad way to suggest you should start the next match, and Mitch Nichols is hoping that he did enough in Australia's dramatic 3-2 loss to Japan to be part of the first XI against China on Sunday. The recently signed Melbourne Victory midfielder was one of two substitutes - goalscorer Tomi Juric was another - who helped swing the balance of the match as the Socceroos clawed their way back to 2-2 in the last 15 minutes of a topsy-turvy encounter. His effort, plus coach Holger Osieck's preference to now give players who haven't had a game a chance to show what they can do on Sunday, should mean he is in from the start. It was a better than the last game but it's been a bit hard, out of season and getting back into it. I think we showed last half an hour, second half, if we played like that we probably could have pushed them a bit further and it was disappointing to get it back to 2-2 and give away such a soft goal," Nichols said as he summed up the match. I was happy to get involved. Just try to do all I can do, I think did that and can build on that. Hopefully I put my hand up for a start next game and go from there. It's been a good camp and hopefully we can end it on the right note. Young Central Coast Mariners forward Mitchell Duke came into East Asian Cup as one of the most inexperienced players in the squad. But the youngster, who turned 22 this week, has seized his opportunity. After a quiet game against South Korea, when the amount of pressure Australia had to absorb meant he rarely saw the ball in the forward third of the pitch, he was far more involved against Japan and marked his second start with his first international goal. Its the greatest feeling in the world - my first goal at international level. It's been a great experience, love it. In our first hit out it was a bit difficult . Our first game, we'd had that break. So we got that first game out of the way and then came into this game with a different mindset. We knew what we had to do, get on the ball more, it worked out well for us and were just unlucky with the result unfortunately. Another player who will remember the game fondly, despite the score, is Craig Goodwin, who made his international debut in the dying moments when he was sent off the bench. "It was only a few minutes but of course its nice to get on and get my first cap," the Newcastle Jets wing back said. As soon as we got back into it I thought maybe we can go on with it here, but unfortunately Japan got a goal straight away. Just that concentration after you score, it's very important to be switched on. Hopefully in my next game I can have a bit more time and have a bit more impact. There's good depth in the side as well. You saw with Tomi Juric coming on and scoring, he did very well. If he (coach Holger Osieck) does change it around, then I think it's going to be a good side and I think we can get a result in the last game.