Asian Cup 2015: Angry Ange Postecoglou hits out at critics in wake of China success
SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou has lashed out at critics questioning his position and his long-term plan for the national team.
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SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou has lashed out at critics questioning his position and his long-term plan for the national team.
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Despite Australia’s 2-0 Asian Cup quarter-final win over China, courtesy of two superb Tim Cahill goals, Postecoglou seemed anything but happy after the victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Postecoglou, contracted until the 2018 World Cup, was furious with talk before the match about the safety of his job had Australia lost to China.
“I still shake my head sometimes with some of the things that I hear and read,” he said.
“The only challenge I see is continually having to say the same story and it’s frustrating the hell out of me because people can’t see what I see in this team. We’ve been managing really well.
“I think the fans are understanding that this is an exciting team. Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Jason Davidson, Mat Leckie, Mass Luongo … they’re all 22, 23 years of age, they’re putting in enormous performances.
“My only concern is that I hope none of them get infiltrated by some of the garbage I read and hear on the outside.
“For people to be talking about what happens if we get eliminated (against China) , seriously … we’ve started out something 14 months ago and I reckon we’ve stuck to that plan.
“I’ll be held accountable if we ever veer away from the plan but we’ve stuck to that plan and we’re delivering.
“The only challenge I see is making sure the players in that dressing room don’t limit their potential by listening to a lot of the crap that comes from the outside.”
Postecoglou suggested his decision to leave Cahill out of the starting line-up in the Socceroos’ 1-0 loss to South Korea last Saturday night, a defeat which condemned them to second spot in Group A, was vindicated by the former Everton star’s performance last night.
Cahill scored with a brilliant bicycle kick in the 49th minute before sealing Australia’s win with a bullet-like header 17 minutes later.
“We rested him against (South) Korea because we knew this game was going to be important,” Postecoglou said.
“In the penalty box he’s still world class.”
Despite having turned 35 last month, Cahill, Australia’s leading all-time goalscorer, seemingly has no intention of retiring from international football any time soon.
“I still know I can change games, I still know I can write my own script and at the same time affect football in a big way in Australia because I’ve never ever once not believed in the national team jersey,” Cahill said.
“When I get my chance I have to take it.”
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Angry Ange Postecoglou hits out at critics in wake of China success
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