Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou slams Suncorp pitch and backs his team selection

THE Socceroos’ now treacherous path to the Asian Cup final has just two certainties after Saturday night’s loss to South Korea.

THE Socceroos’ now treacherous path to the Asian Cup final has just two certainties after Saturday night’s loss to South Korea.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou at least knows he will have four hot days in Brisbane to prepare for Thursday night’s quarter-final against China on a Suncorp Stadium pitch he says is not up to international standard.

And while several positions remain up for grabs, Postecoglou confirmed Alex Wilkinson will replace Matthew Spiranovic against China, with the central defender to sit out the game after earning his second booking for the tournament.

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Ange Postecoglou has backed his team selection against South Korea.

“We didn’t expect to get through all of these games without a suspension,” the coach said.

“Alex Wilkinson’s ready to go.

“He’s a very experienced player and he’ll fit straight in no problem.”

Suncorp Stadium’s patchy surface has been widely criticised during the group stages.

Attacker Robbie Kruse slammed his former home pitch before the match and Postecoglou praised his players for persisting on the bumpy track.

They controlled most of the contest and only some imperfect finishing prevented them from scoring an equaliser.

“I’m not happy with this pitch,” he said.

“I still think the players did fantastically well to play our style of football.

“For them to persist and create good opportunities, that will be our challenge again on Thursday.”

Socceroo Robbie Kruse reacts after missing a close chance.

The new look front third was steered brilliantly by Massimo Luongo.

He created a glut of chances for his forwards while Postecoglou was happy with the form of Nathan Burns, Tomi Juric and James Troisi.

“I thought they were still bright. Tomi got himself into some great areas,” Postecoglou said.

“He had a couple of good chances and so did Burnsy. Some of the stuff he did was fantastic given it was his first start for at least four years.

“There were plenty of positives and they provided some good depth in that front position.

It was good to give them that opportunity and on another night they both would have a couple of goals.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou slams Suncorp pitch and backs his team selection