Ange Postecoglou says the evolution of his Caltex Socceroos squad ensures they’ll be ready to entertain at this year’s Confederations Cup and declared they won’t be intimidated against the world’s best in Russia.
Postecoglou gave an extensive interview with FIFA, speaking about his coaching philosophy, Australia’s 2018 World Cup qualifying path so far and also reflected on the 2015 AFC Asian Cup triumph.
The Caltex Socceroos boss also looked ahead to June’s Confederations Cup where his side has been pitted against World Cup winners Germany, South American champions Chile and triumphant African Cup of Nations side Cameroon
While aware of the huge challenge facing the Aussies in Russia, Postecoglou said his side will continue to play their brand of football which they have been evolving since he took the reins in late 2013.
“It [the brand of football] was in its infancy at the last World Cup. Even though we had a really tough group with Chile, Holland and Spain, we took the game to the opposition, particularly against Chile and Holland, and were probably a bit unlucky not to get something out of those two games,” Postecoglou said.
“The team has evolved since then. We will come to the Confederations Cup, and we certainly won’t take any backward steps.
“We will try and play the same sort of football that we have being playing for the past three years, and measure ourselves against the very best – that is the whole idea of it.
“That should make for some exciting games, which I’m sure we will contribute to.”
Before the Confederations Cup gets underway in mid June, the Caltex Socceroos have three crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Australia takes on Iraq (away in Iran) and UAE (in Sydney) next month before another massive clash with Saudi Arabia in Adelaide in early June.
