Ange Postecoglou says the Socceroos’ Confederations Cup draw is a priceless opportunity
AUSTRALIA’S heavyweight draw for the Confederations Cup is a “priceless” chance for the Socceroos to test themselves against the world’s finest, says Ange Postecoglou.
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AUSTRALIA’S heavyweight draw for the Confederations Cup in Russia next year is a “priceless” chance for the Socceroos to test themselves against some of the world’s finest footballers, Ange Postecoglou has claimed.
After his side was drawn against Germany, Chile and the still-to-be-decided African champions in a tournament used as a World Cup warm-up by the hosts, Postecoglou said the “exciting” fixtures added to the World Cup and Asian Cup experience his squad has garnered in the past three and a half years.
June will become a hothouse month for the Socceroos, with a World cup qualifier at home to Saudi Arabia on June 8, a likely friendly days later, then games against Germany (in Sochi) on June 19, the African nation in St Petersburg on June 22 and Chile in Moscow on June 25.
Chile beat Australia 3-1 at the World Cup in Brazil, little more than six months after Postecoglou had taken over, and earned a highly creditable 2-2 draw with Germany in March 2015 in Kaiserslautern.
Having qualified for the Confederations Cup as Asian champions, Postecoglou said his side should embrace the opportunity, despite the calibre of opposition they will face.
“It’s kind of priceless, because for us it provides another opportunity beyond the World Cup and Asian Cup to play in a major tournament,” he said.
“It gives you a measuring stick as to where you’re at.
“For a lot of these players we’ve had together these last three years they will have been through a World Cup, an Asian Cup and now a Confederations Cup. It’s a great way to get a strong foundation in terms of their international careers.”
“It’s exciting. I think both Chile and Germany are as strong, if not stronger, than they were three years ago, so it’s our opportunity to see where we’re at and a good measure of our progress as a team, particularly with this group of players.
The period together will give Postecoglou a rare opportunity to work with his players for several weeks, a year out from what they hope will be a fourth consecutive appearance at the world Cup.
“We’ll have at least a couple weeks with the players (before the Germany game) which is great for us leading into a major tournament,” he said. “We’ll look to play at least one more preparation game after the Saudi game knowing we’ve got that 10-day window.”
The Oceania champions, New Zealand, open the tournament against Russia on June 17, in a competition Australia has been runners up in (in 1997) and come third (in 2001).
Portugal, as champions of Europe, and Mexico complete Group A, with the top two from each group going into the semifinals.
Originally published as Ange Postecoglou says the Socceroos’ Confederations Cup draw is a priceless opportunity
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