SPORT Striker calls for patience

STRIKER Tomi Juric has urged critics of the Socceroos’ new formation to withhold judgement until the players have had a chance to showcase it in decent conditions.

Coach Ange Postecoglou revealed his bold 3-2-4-1 system to players just three days before Thursday night’s tense 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Iraq on a shocking pitch in Tehran.

“Obviously we’re disappointed with the result but just continue believing in what we’re doing because he believes we’re doing the right thing,” Juric said.

“Even though sometimes it might seem like it’s a wrong choice, we know it’s the right one because he’s shown it before and we’ve shown it together as a group before that it works.”

The Socceroos arrived back in Australia hours lateyesterday after delays in Dubai and then on the tarmac in Sydney.

They have three days to recover and prepare for what is now a must-win against UAE on Tuesday night.

Australia were lucky to escape with a point as they struggled to implement the new system, which Postecoglou in- tends to take all the way to Russia 2018, should they qualify.

The three-man backline left vulnerable gaps that were exploited by Iraq’s speedy wingers, but the biggest problem was the Socceroos’ inability to deal with their opponent’s incessant long balls.

Winger Robbie Kruse admitted it was a significant issue but argued it wasn’t a symptom of the system, which he believed could be better showcased at Allianz Stadium.

“It was different to what we’re used to,” Kruse said.

“It worked in a lot of ways but the problem was they were playing route-one football and we lost too much of the aerial battles, and that was what really killed us.

“If you don’t win your headers it doesn’t matter what system you play, you’re always going to struggle.”

“They were winning nearly all the flick-ons and that made it difficult for us because we had to track back so far.”

The Socceroos are likely to encounter another below-par pitch at the problematic Allianz Stadium that will again test their ability to adapt.

Still third in Group B, Australia are three points behind Japan and Saudi Arabia, who share the lead.