Mark Bosnich: Winning Asian Cup more important than 2018 World Cup qualification for Socceroos

MARK Bosnich says the upcoming Asian Cup is more important for a rebuilding Australia than 2018 World Cup qualification.

Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich with AFC Champions League trophy in the Queen Street Mall. Pic Jono Searle.

WINNING the upcoming Asian Cup is more important for a rebuilding Australia than 2018 World Cup qualification, ex-Socceroo Mark Bosnich says.

While Bosnich supported national coach Ange Postecoglou’s transition plan, he admitted Australia needed to start winning after going “backwards” since their gutsy 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil.

But Bosnich believed hosting next year’s Asian Cup would finally show “where we are as a nation” under Postecoglou.

Five months after wowing crowds with their head turning — but ultimately winless — World Cup tilt, the Socceroos’ world ranking has dropped to a new low of 102.

Ange Postecoglou and Tim Cahill embrace.

Bosnich said progress had been made under Postecoglou despite just two wins in his 12 games at the helm.

But the former gloveman said wins on the board were what counted — and believed an Asian Cup triumph would be more rewarding right now for Australia than making the 2018 World Cup.

“Right now, winning the Asian Cup (is more important than 2018 qualification),” Bosnich said on Friday.

“You can have an eye on the future but it’s the present that matters.

“I am not happy exactly where we are at right at this moment.

“At the World Cup we surprised many people, we got beat yes but the way we played and the manner in which we got beat got people excited.

“But we have to be really honest and say since the World Cup we have gone backwards — we need a good performance at this tournament.”

Bosnich added: “We understand what Ange is trying to do but as a coach you need proof, and the proof is victories.

Mile Jedinak will lead the Socceroos into the Asian Cup.

“This tournament will tell a lot about where we are as a nation.”

While encouraged by Australia’s spirited World Cup display, Bosnich said results-wise the Socceroos were the worst performed Asian team in Brazil — and he hoped that did not play on their minds.

Iran, South Korea and Japan all finished bottom of their respective World Cup groups but each recorded a point, unlike the winless Socceroos.

“The only problem is of the four Asian teams that qualified for the World Cup we probably did the worst out of all of them in results and ultimately that is what it comes down to,” Bosnich said.

“Those four teams will be the favourites (at next year’s Asian Cup).

“And if we get to the semi-finals there is half a hair between those sides but you need luck anyway.”

Postecoglou this week named a 46-strong preliminary squad ahead of their opening Asian Cup clash with Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9.

Originally published as Mark Bosnich: Winning Asian Cup more important than 2018 World Cup qualification for Socceroos