World Cup qualifier: Ange Postecoglou says Socceroos never came to grips with Japan in midfield

IT wasn’t one of Ange Postecoglou’s proudest moments but he took criticism on the chin as the Socceroos made qualification for Russia 2018 just that little harder.

Ange Postecoglou was happy to take responsibility for the defeat.

BITTERLY disappointed Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says he was not caught out by Japan’s stifling tactics in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss at Saitama Stadium.

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Postecoglou defended left winger Brad Smith’s role in Japan’s go-ahead goal, saying the defensive lapse was his responsibility, not the player’s.

And the coach also said he was confident Aaron Mooy would be fit for Tuesday’s decisive qualifier against Thailand at AAMI Park after the star midfielder missed Thursday night’s game through illness.

Ange Postecoglou was happy to take responsibility for the defeat

“We’re obviously disappointed with the outcome, congratulations to the Japanese side, they deserved the win tonight,” Postecoglou said.

“It wasn’t far from what we expected (from them) ... but in terms of the way we played we just never got control of midfield in the way we wanted to.

“We had possession, but not real effective possession. We turned the ball over and in transition they’ve got the ability to hit you quickly.

“We just couldn’t get a hold of that central area the way we wanted to.”

Brad Smith had issues all night with the Japanese attack.

Postecoglou said it was not ideal to be reliant upon Saudi Arabia’s result against Japan to qualify for Russia, but said he hadn’t yet given thought to the approach to the Thailand game.

Thursday night’s match was played in the shadow of the tragic death of long-time Fairfax football journalist and Fox Sports commentator Mike Cockerill, who passed away through illness just hours before kickoff.

The team, however, was not aware of Cockerill’s passing during the game, with a visibly upset Postecoglou only told of the news just before his pre-match media conference.

Mooy was ruled out on Thursday morning after falling ill overnight.

Tom Rogic was never in the game and was replaced by Tim Cahill.

Bournemouth’s Smith hasn’t had many minutes for his club, but the coach said he wasn’t alone in that.

“Talking to the doctor, (Mooy) just wasn’t well enough to perform today so we decided to leave him back at the hotel so he could recover,” he said.

“Brad Smith played 90 minutes just a week ago. I’ll have to have a look at the goal again, but from my opinion that’s not his responsibility, it’s my responsibility.”

Originally published as World Cup qualifier: Ange Postecoglou says Socceroos never came to grips with Japan in midfield