Australia's FIFA World Cup qualification campaign hit a speed bump in Amman and the midfielder, who played in an unfamiliar role wide on the right, admitted there were “no excuses” as the Socceroos were replaced at the top of Group B by a euphoric Jordan.
And after a chastening experience for a Socceroos side which came into the game with maximum points from three games and confident of its ability to withstand anything the host could throw at it, Luongo admitted Australia's more cavalier qualities may have to be curbed.
“We do play a controlling football but there’s a risk element to it. I think we won’t steer away from where we’re trying to go with our football but might have to be more cautious," Luongo said.
“We know what can hurt us now, it’s a massive learning curve today.
"Obviously the counter attack, the risk factor of the way we play between lines. It was really difficult trying to play between lines for the midfielders, the 10s, the strikers just based on the pitch, but that’s no excuse.
“We do throw a lot of bodies forward and if it works then the outcomes are very good because we can create loads of opportunities.
“We’re trying a new system out a little bit and we saw today, more than in any other games, the counter attack is a bit dangerous for us.
"To be honest, we handled that really well in the past games and today I didn’t think we were good at handling that."
Though fully aware of why coach Ange Postecoglou has opted for playing him in a more advanced role, Luongo, who is more naturally No 6 or No 8, didn’t look entirely comfortable in the position.
He has, however, played as a No 10 recently for Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship.
"I understand why he plays me there. Personally I think as well, I’m, well, a lot better in my ability in tighter roles compared to other players, so I understand why he plays me there,” Luongo said.
“I think sometimes it gets a bit of an overload between me, whoever’s playing on the other side, Tommy Oar, or Tommy Rogic and me, I think we all sort of want to get in that area and it causes me or the other strikers to go for a plan B.
“I’m not a winger so it’s a bit difficult for me to get to a plan B side of the game.
“But I do this for the team and I understand that’s the role the boss wants me to play at the moment. Whether he still wants me to play, I don’t know?”
Luongo is convinced Australia will brush aside the loss, regroup and rebound with a far more astute and convincing performance for the visit of Kyrgyzstan on 12 November.
"Of course, there’s a long way to go. There’s only two points and we’re confident that we’ll win every other game. If you’re not confident, you shouldn’t be in the squad," Luongo said.
