Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou has stated his ambitions for the Socceroos ahead of Russia 2018 - and he doesn't want to just make up the numbers at the next World Cup.
Speaking at a Melbourne City FC business function today (Wed) he spoke of his ambitions for the new Asian champions.
"We don't just want to qualify, we want to go there to Russia in 2018 and do some damage, scare a few countries and actually try and win the thing," Postecoglou said.
"That sounds pretty ridiculous sitting here right now. But at some point that should be our goal. To try and win a World Cup.
"That sounds pretty ridiculous sitting here right now. But at some point that should be our goal. To try and win a World Cup.
"We've got to start somewhere. I'm happy to be the first cab off the rank. As crazy as it may sound, we'll see how far we get."
As for players, Postecoglou has stopped short of confirming Kerem Bulut is on track for a Socceroos call-up but insists there are no barriers to the Western Sydney Wanderers FC forward - or any other in-form players - pulling on the green and gold.
Bulut has captured the attention of Australian football supporters after smashing five goals in six Hyundai A-League matches for the Wanderers.
The 23-year-old hit the back of the net again in a 1-1 AFC Champions League draw at home to FC Seoul on Tuesday night.
While talk of international recognition may seem premature to some, Postecoglou offered a favourable response when directly questioned about Bulut's Australia credentials.
"I've kind of thrown away the normal, standard procedures of national team selection," the head coach said.
"When I took over 18 months ago we were pretty keen on regenerating the team. That was only going to come from a fairly radical approach.
Bulut has captured the attention of Australian football supporters after smashing five goals in six Hyundai A-League matches for the Wanderers.
The 23-year-old hit the back of the net again in a 1-1 AFC Champions League draw at home to FC Seoul on Tuesday night.
While talk of international recognition may seem premature to some, Postecoglou offered a favourable response when directly questioned about Bulut's Australia credentials.
"I've kind of thrown away the normal, standard procedures of national team selection," the head coach said.
"When I took over 18 months ago we were pretty keen on regenerating the team. That was only going to come from a fairly radical approach.
"If we'd just waited for consistency of performance and people to be playing at big clubs, I probably would have to stay with the same group of players that got us to the World Cup to start with.
"But we threw that model out. I was pretty keen to throw it out and go with a gut feel for players who would fit in to the type of football we wanted to play, the kind of team we wanted to be.
"And guys who had that inner drive to be successful and not be deterred by any challenge I threw at them. We've done that consistently.
"Where do I select them from? It'll just come down to the kind of team we want to be."
"Where do I select them from? It'll just come down to the kind of team we want to be."