Ange looks beyond Iraq
THE Socceroos might see their whole future through the prism of tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Iraq, but Ange Postecoglou has broader aims.
As Australia prepares for an almighty struggle to gather three points on the road to Russia 2018, Postecoglou is already looking beyond the obvious objective of getting to the World Cup.
Just being part of it isn’t enough. The Socceroos were gallant losers three times in 2014, and Postecoglou didn’t enjoy the experience. So the tactics and coaching that are apparently designed to sweep Iraq aside are also part of a learning curve aimed not at being World Cup wannabes but as achievers.
“That’s the whole plan,” Postecoglou said. “Everything we’ve done, and everything I’ve done since I’ve taken over, is to try and create that.
“There are so many things you need to factor into it and you just don’t know, but everything we do, every decision we make – about selection, the way we play – is designed so that if we do get to a World Cup, we can make an impact.
“Whether that happens or not, time will show all that, but in the meantime I’m not going to try and sit in a place of consolidation or try and sort of reel it back in because potentially, we might not qualify if we’re not as bold in the way we do things. I don’t think that serves any purpose for anyone.
“I know people feel good about qualification, I understand that – I certainly want to qualify for a World Cup – but just qualifying for a World Cup has proven in the past is not as fulfilling as maybe people think it is when you’re in the middle of it.” Possible XI: Mat Ryan, Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich, Mile Jedinak, Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo, Mathew Leckie, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse