The Socceroos' hopes of snaring a Pot 2 draw for next year's World Cup have taken a hit after falling to a deflating 1-0 friendly loss to Venezuela in Houston.

Currently placed 26th in the FIFA rankings, Australia needs to climb into the top 24 to secure a more favourable group for the tournament to be held in North America.

However, a new-look Socceroos were meek in Texas, struggling to maintain possession and failing to test Venezuelan goalkeeper Jose Contreras for long stretches of the encounter.

The 50th ranked Venezuelans, who missed out on World Cup qualification and are currently without a permanent manager, scored the game's only goal in the 38th minute, when the lively Ender Echenique ghosted in behind Craig Goodwin and teed up Jesus Ramirez for a tap-in.

The Socceroos were second best in the first half in Houston. (Getty Images: Tim Warner/Soccer Australia)

Goodwin, who was playing out of position at left-wing-back, was one of a number of experimental selections made by Socceroos boss Tony Popovic.

Defender Kai Trewin, midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler and goalkeeper Patrick Beach all made their international debuts from the start, while Al Hasan Toure came off the bench for his maiden Socceroos appearance.

Beach made a promising start to life in green and gold, pulling off a spectacular save to deny a diving Ramirez header in the 17th minute, while Toure was also lively.

He, alongside fellow substitutes Martin Boyle and Riley McGree, injected some urgen