Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos will lift in Suncorp atmosphere says Ange Postecoglou

ANGE Postecoglou knows the effect a packed Suncorp Stadium can have after it helped inspire his Roar sides to successive A-League grand final wins.

SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou knows first-hand the effect a packed Suncorp Stadium can have on a team after it helped inspire his Roar sides to successive A-League grand final wins.

Despite lingering concerns about the playing surface and Brisbane’s stifling humidity, Postecoglou is banking on another full house of 50,000 fans at the best football venue in Australia to lift the Socceroos to a win over South Korea in the Asian Cup Group A showdown.

Australia only need a draw to secure top spot in Group A, but Postecoglou will not hear of the Socceroos abandoning the attacking approach that has netted them eight goals in two games.

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Ange Postecoglou has moved to end concerns over the Suncorp playing surface.

“Comparing to the other pitches we’ve played on (during the tournament), it’s not of the same standard, “ Postecoglou said.

“It’s going to make it a bit more of a challenge, but it’s not going to change the football we need to play.

“The beauty of it is hopefully the state of the pitch will be balanced by a full Suncorp Stadium.

“I’ve participated in games here where the ground’s been sold out and it’s a fantastic atmosphere.

“I’m sure it’ll give the players a lift and I’m looking forward to the whole spectacle.”

Another 300 tickets were released to the general public on Friday afternoon after the game was officially declared a sellout.

A temperature of 36C is expected today as Brisbane’s January heatwave continues.

“It will be pretty trying in terms of humidity but the team is well prepared for that. We trained down in Melbourne during the (pre-Asian Cup) camp and had similar conditions.

“We know it will be a tough game and those conditions will take a lot out of the players who play. Having said that, we are well prepared and team we pick will be ready for it.

“People are pretty clear on what our approach has been and will continue to be. There’s a game of football to be played and every time that happens we’re going out to win it.”

South Korea played both their previous Group A games in cooler conditions in Canberra so they are likely to feel the heat and humidity more than the Australians.

However, defender Kwak Tae-Hwi suggested his side, who like the Socceroos have also already qualified for the quarter-finals, would not use the conditions or the pitch as an excuse if they came up short tonight.

“Obviously we’ve noticed that the weather here is much more humid, hotter than it is in Canberra, but we’re here to play a game,” Kwak said.

“It’s not like we cannot play the game because it’s hot or raining. Both teams are playing the same conditions, the same weather conditions, the same field conditions, so it’s no use worrying about these kind of situations.”

Postecoglou knows how Suncorp can lift players from his Brisbane Roar days.

The team that finishes second in Group A will play their quarter-final at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday against China.

It’s a situation that South Korea coach Uli Stielike wants to avoid.

“There are two reasons to look to be first (in the group). One is the pitch and the other one is the conviction of the team,” Stielike said.

“We have to win to be first. The draw will be good enough for Australia.

“If we are able to beat Australia at home, it gives you the conviction that you can go far in this tournament. That is why we have to do everything for the victory.”

Robbie Kruse, man of the match in the Socceroos’ 4-0 win over Oman, joins the Fox Football Podcast to reflect on the performance. Adam Peacock is joined in studio by Sasa Ognenovski and The Daily Telegraph’s Tom Smithies, and on the phone by Ned Zelic, to dissect the game, and the tournament thus far, from all angles.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos will lift in Suncorp atmosphere says Ange Postecoglou