Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy says under Ange Postecoglou they have a ‘better shot’ in Brazil

ANGE Postecoglou’s appointment as coach was the shake-up the Socceroos desperately needed, says Josh Kennedy.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Josh Kennedy of the Socceroos poses during an Australian Socceroos portrait session at the Intercontinental on May 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

WORLD Cup qualifying hero Josh Kennedy said Ange Postecoglou’s arrival was the shake-up required ahead of the World Cup.

The striker said the new coach won the players’ respect after his first speech last November, and described Holger Osieck’s exit inevitable.

Kennedy, 31, is determined to start in Brazil and recalled his crucial super sub qualifying goal against Iraq, and revealed that he sensed he was going to be the hero.

The Japan-based striker is fit for tomorrow’s clash against South Africa at ANZ Stadium and welcomed the high intensity that was lacking under the previous regime.

Alex Wilkinson, Matthew Spiranovic and Josh Kennedy line up for the team photo.

He said Osieck’s cards were marked after consecutive 6-0 losses to Brazil and France.

“I don’t like to say it, but yes,’’ Kennedy said when asked if Osieck’s sacking was inevitable.

“The way the camps were and the way the team was performing, we were very stale, tactically we didn’t do much, we weren’t setup as good as we could’ve been.

“We could play Brazil tomorrow and lose 6-0, but we give ourselves a better shot and we would probably look a lot better doing it now than we did.

“I think a change is good, we did well, we qualified with Holger but that’s history and we’ve got to move forward.

“Ange is a good decision, everybody’s on board.

“From day one when Ange started speaking he set a standard, this is the national team and what we do is the best in the country on and off the pitch.

“Most of the guys might not have known him, but a lot of the things he had to say about the way we want to play and go about things made sense to the boys and you automatically give him that respect.

“The camps have been a really good change from training, the intensity is up and everything runs as a national team should and it’s set a standard.

“If we had’ve stayed that same path there definitely would have been more concern.’’

If not for Kennedy’s goal against Iraq last June, the consequences could have been disastrous, probably resulting in a playoff against Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani’s Uruguay.

Kennedy recalled his “amazing moment’’ and the frustration leading into his 77th minute introduction for Tim Cahill before scoring six minutes later.

“I felt like it was my moment, my occasion to shine and the game was perfect for me to come on and do what I did,’’ he said.

Australia's World Cup squad training at Oki Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.

“All good things come to those who wait and I felt I waited a bit to get that.

“I was quite frustrated being on the bench for previous games, after coming back from injury, not playing those previous games and thinking I should have from training performances.

“We had a few chances in the game and I had that feeling that if I came on I’m a chance to score the winner.

“Jade North sat next to me on the bench told me you’re going to come on and score the winner.

“And then it all happened pretty quickly, I had a few touches before the goal and it was setup perfectly, Bresh got the ball and dinked it in and from the moment I headed it I didn’t need to look, I knew it was in the back of the net.

“Before I knew it, I don’t remember running to the corner flag, I just remember being in the side, everyone jumping on me and Bresh kissing my head when I was walking back.’’

Kennedy has scored 17 goals in 33 games since debuting in 2006 and he would prefer to be a starter over an impact player in Brazil.

“I’m fit, healthy and playing so I think I’m the man for the spot up front,’’ Kennedy said.

“It comes down a lot on how Ange wants to play, who we’re playing and the formation.

“If he’s looking for a number nine up front then I think I’m still definitely the man to fill the position.

“It wouldn’t be right if there wasn’t competition but that’s only going to spur me on even more to put my head down and work hard and make sure, come that first game, I’ve done all I can to have a starting position.’’

THE KENNEDY FILES

Born: 20 August 1982 in Wodonga, VIC

Height: 194cm

CLUBS

Carlton (NSL), Wolfsburg, Dynamo Dresden, Nurnberg, Karlsruhe (GERMANY), Nagoya Grampus (JAPAN)

COUNTRY

Australia U-17, U-20

Socceroos Caps: 33, Goals: 17

Originally published as Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy says under Ange Postecoglou they have a ‘better shot’ in Brazil