Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says he loves watching his team, and their attacking philosophy and structure will not change when they face Syria next month.
READ: Meet Australia’s playoff opponent Syria
ANALYSIS: Who are Syria's key players?
EXPLAINER: how the playoffs work for WCQ
FIFA WCQ : Group A results, standings
After a night of emotion and drama across Asia and Australia, the final automatic qualification spots and third places were finalised in Group A and B in the AFC.
Aussie skipper could return for Syria clash
Australia just missed out on the second spot and automatic qualification after a roller-coaster 2-1 win over the Thais.
Postecoglou's style and vision for changing football in Australia has been under the spotlight in the media.
The reality is, if Ange’s men scored two more goals in Melbourne – and the chances were aplenty – Australia would’ve punched their ticket to Russia ahead of the Saudis.
CRITICISM WON’T CHANGE THE VISION OR BELIEF
“It doesn’t change my conviction about what I think is right for our game and our country.
“And I’ll see it through," he said the media talk on Wednesday in Melbourne.
“I really believe even last night [against Thailand] as frustrating as it was, I love watching that team play, our team, my team.
“And if we continue to play like that, and continue to improve, people can have their judgement of me but I won’t be pushed into the shadows of Australian football history like others and just bowing to certain parts [of the media coverage],” he said.
“I’ve survived much worse than this and if anything it motivates me to keep going and I want to make sure that Australian football gets on the right path.”
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD
The two third placed nations Australia and Syria will meet in a two-legged tie.
First leg is away on October 5, potentially in the neutral venue of Malaysia, and five days later the second leg will be played in Australia on October 10.
Postecoglou added he was looking for more conviction at times from the group but added.
"In terms of the approach, we'll push on. People loved us against Chile they didn't love us against Japan.
"But it's the same approach and we'll find the consistency within that."