Ange style has Cahill’s full backing

SOCCEROOS leaders have backed Ange Postecoglou ahead of their cutthroat World Cup playoffs, starting with Syria on Thursday.

The Socceroos coach came under fire after failing to qualify for Russia 2018 directly, leaving a fourth-straight berth precariously placed.

Veteran Tim Cahill, among the players already in Melaka, said Postecoglou’s impact would not be appreciated until later.

“My favourite saying is ‘you miss someone when they’re gone’,’’ Cahill said.

“His effect on the game, in years and years to come, people will sit there and go, wow, an Australian coach did that to our country in four years – won us an Asian Cup, undefeated in the qualifiers other than the Japan away game, and he changed the footprint of football in Australia.

“We have to have the siege mentality on (October 5 and 10), going into camp. It’s all or nothing, and that’s (just) for the first bit, there’s another section (intercontinental playoffs) after that.”

Mark Milligan, captain if Cahill starts on the bench and with Mile Jedinak (groin) absent, said it was déjà vu.

“It seems to be a trend in qualification. Last time we qualified directly and we were attacked for being too defensive minded,’’ Milligan said.