Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou out to prove FIFA rankings wrong

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou said he’s not interested in winning any popularity contests, declaring that he’s sticking to a long-term mission.

Socceroos training

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou said he’s not interested in winning any popularity contests, declaring that he’s sticking to the long-term mission he was assigned to when appointed 14 months ago.

But Postecoglou said the Asian Cup was a chance for the Socceroos to prove that they had progressed since Brazil 2014, despite slipping to 100 in the FIFA world rankings.

The Socceroos have struggled since last June, losing three of their five friendlies, with their only win coming against Saudi Arabia as numerous players were tried.

But speaking ahead of the Socceroos’ opening training session at Olympic Park, Postecoglou said he wasn’t fazed by the scrutiny surrounding the team’s results.

“If anyone gets into coaching trying to achieve universal love they’re going to be disappointed their whole career,’’ he said.

“I don’t measure my progress on what other people may be summising.

“I knew the enormity of the role and the challenge when I took it on, and that was the appeal of it, and I’m comfortable where we sit right now and I’m very optimistic about what’s ahead.

“The whole organisation (FFA) 13-14 months ago decided to go off in a new direction and we’ve been very disciplined in sticking to that because we all feel that we’ll end up in a better place.

Ange Postecoglou watches over Socceroos training.

“When we end up in that place and people may be a little happier about things, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and I won’t change anything I do.’’

Despite widespread optimism about Australia’s World Cup performances, Postecoglou denied that he was ‘content’ with their Brazil 2014 campaign.

“Maybe people zone out when I talk but I was disappointed with the World Cup,’’ Postecoglou said.

“We should’ve beaten Holland and probably should’ve gotten something out of the first game.

“What drives me is not just winning games of football it’s the method of football that’s very important to me.

“Maybe that goal’s unattainable but that’s good because that’s what keeps driving me.

Ange Postecoglou and Mark Bresciano will have big roles to play.

“From my perspective this is the first competitive games since the World Cup and we want to be able to progress what we began (in Brazil).

“Our results in the World Cup weren’t what we wanted but certainly there was encouragement in the performances to say we’re headed in the right direction and this tournament gives us a chance to show and prove to people that we’re further advanced than that.’’

Postecoglou has experimented heavily during the five friendlies since the World Cup, but was confident his 23-man squad was primed for the Asian Cup.

“I expect there to be more of a cutting edge, I’m sure all of the players want to play and contribute,’’ he said.

“That creates an extra edge that doesn’t exist in friendlies. This is a major tournament and a major opportunity for everyone involved – coaches, staff, players - to create something special so I’d expect the focus to be pretty sharp with everything we do.’’

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou out to prove FIFA rankings wrong