Ange Postecoglou has insisted, during the post World Cup makeover of his squad, that he and his team should not be judged on the result of friendly matches in difficult environments but in the Asian Cup.
The coach knows he has been on a hiding to nothing playing a series of opponents – some very good, like Belgium, some decent, like Japan, and some who are always hard to beat on their own turf, like Qatar and the UAE – in away fixtures over the past few months.
But he has been unrepentant about the scorelines even though they have brought him the first criticism he has experienced following his appointment some 14 months ago after the sacking of Holger Osieck.
The Socceroos lost to the first three abovementioned nations and drew with the UAE. Their sole victory in five games since Brazil came in London, neutral territory for both, against Saudi Arabia, last September.
Postecoglou argues that it was far better to go on the road and test the mettle of his younger, inexperienced players and give them invaluable experience than fatten them up with less challenging opponents from South East Asia in friendly matches in Australia.
For Postecoglou the Asian Cup ends – which, at a minimum, should be a spot in the semi final – will justify the lead-up’s means.
Still, for all of the chopping and changing and experimenting with players and positions, the line up against Kuwait is likely to have a very familiar look.
Few of the youngsters who have been tried out in these friendlies are likely to start save for Aziz Behich, who was not in the World Cup squad but has burst into calculations because he is now playing regularly in the Turkish top division. The alternative left back Jason Davidson (who did play in the World Cup) has been frozen out at his English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion and is not match fit.
The coach is adamant that the lessons learned in this difficult lead-up will be borne out in spectacular style once Australia steps out in front of its own fans. He believes that a wave of emotion and popular support will lift the team and drive it through the tournament.
Its always dangerous to pin too much hope on emotion – as Brazil found out in its catastrophic World Cup semi-final loss to Germany – but on this occasion it’s hard not to agree with Postecoglou when he says that conditions, home support and familiarity with the environment will give his side a massive lift.
“I am looking forward to a bit of love. It’s my first home international in my city. It’s going to be special tomorrow night coaching in front of friends and family,” Postecoglou said on Thursday.
“I am looking forward to it and really looking forward to seeing how the players embrace tomorrow night and showing what they have learned over the past 12 months.”
It won’t, he said, be necessary to give the players any last words. The occasion will be inspiration enough.
“The overwhelming emotion they feel when they walked out to a packed stadium with Australian supporters and see the green and gold in the stands, whatever words I say will dissipate pretty quickly and the emotion will take them through,” he said.
“The last 12 months we have been on the road pretty much and put some pretty testing challenges in front of them. They are going to feel some love tomorrow night and I am hoping that takes them to greater heights.
“I can’t wait for the players to walk out tomorrow night. I have no doubt that a few of them will feel two or three feet taller, mind you some of them need it as they are on the small side. But I think it will take them to greater heights.
“Fourteen months ago when I was appointed there was a clear directive and mission that I was a part of. That was to regenerate the team and rejuvenate the way we play our football.
“We stuck to that, we understood that we would cop some pain along the way.
“What drives me is seeing out this mission. I know we will get there, I am absolutely bullish and confident about that. When people see the results and the rewards start coming in they will understand why we did what we needed to do.
Asked if the team would be nervous, as they were in the opening World Cup game against Chile when they conceded twice in the first 20 minutes, Postecoglou shrugged.
“I am sure they have learned from that. We paid a price, we copped two goals, but you also saw a reaction from a group of players who could have very well been shellshocked and copped half a dozen to push one of the world’s best teams right to the wire where we should have got something out of the game as far as I am concerned.
“I am not worried (about nerves). That’s why we have done what we have done so they can be ready for what happens tomorrow night and beyond.”
source: smh.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 