Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has cast aside the doubt surrounding his side's recent performances in the Middle East, declaring that the Socceroos will be ready to go when January's AFC Asian Cup comes around.
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has cast aside the doubt surrounding his side's recent performances in the Middle East, declaring that the Socceroos will be ready to go when January's AFC Asian Cup comes around.
Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Qatar, albeit with an experimental side, in Doha came only four days after a 0-0 draw with the UAE, results that have left many observers believing Australia’s chances of winning the Asian Cup on home soil have been dramatically reduced.
Postecoglou has, however, been quick to refute those claims, insisting instead that such games are merely part of the learning curve ahead of next year’s get-together Down Under.
"I'm making these decisions and I'm making them for a reason and that's probably costing us in terms of performance and in terms of fluency," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"But it is what it is, and I take responsibility for the outcomes because I'm making these decisions.
"In my mind we're still making progress. We're still giving some really good experience to some of the players who haven't had that sort of top-level intensity before.
"I'm making it as hard as possible, so the players will be fine. They'll be ready to go.
"We're putting these challenges to them for a reason and I think in the long run it will be good for us,” added the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory coach.
Australia will find themselves tested once again when they face reigning Asian champions Japan on November 18 in their final friendly before beginning their continental title tilt.
At the Asian Cup itself, Postecoglou’s charges are in Group A where they will face Korea Republic, Kuwait and Oman.
Photo: AFP