Caltex Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou said with impressive debutants and a win under their belts against Greece, the Australian team is ready to ‘go full throttle’ towards Russia 2018.
Australia defeated Greece 1-0 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, thanks to a last-gasp Mathew Leckie strike, as more new faces and an impressive team performance underlined the direction Australia is heading under their ambitious manager.
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“I thought we deserved the win in difficult conditions against a good opponent. We controlled the game,” Postecoglou told reporters after the game.
“We created some good opportunities for ourselves, we hit the post, their keeper pulled off a couple of good saves and we should have had a penalty, and we had a disallowed goal.
“It was just desserts at the end that we got our goal. Our general play deserved it against an opponent that was well organised and made it hard for us.
“We kept our discipline and if you do, you get your rewards.”
Pleasingly for Australia was the debut of powerful centre back Milos Degenek.
Hyundai A-League star Jason Geria at right back also caught the eye, as did late substitute Alex Gersbach, the former Sydney FC teenager now with Norwegian powerhouse Rosenberg.
“Both Jason [Geria] and Milos [Degenek] were excellent,” a happy Postecoglou added.
They [Greece] had a couple of chances from crosses but I don’t think Maty [Ryan] had a save to make tonight.
“It shows both boys contributed and they’ll be better for the experience and adds more depth to key areas of the park.
“[And] Alex Gersbach came on tonight and had an impressive ten minutes and we’ll give him an opportunity on Tuesday and with those things happening, it gives us a strong foundation to really push on.
“There should be no hesitation in anything we do now. We should go full throttle now right through till the World Cup.”
Australia face Greece in the final of the two game Dodoni Series on Tuesday night in Melbourne before beginning final phase World Cup qualifiers in September.
