Tommy Oar is convinced the Socceroos are on track for the AFC Asian Cup as they prepare for two more crucial friendlies over the next week.
Ange Postecoglou’s side takes on the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning (AEST) before heading to Doha to play Qatar on Wednesday.
After losing six straight games against some of the world’s strongest nations – including Chile, Netherlands and Spain at the World Cup and Belgium in a recent friendly – the Socceroos broke the drought with a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia last month.
And Oar believes that result shows the improvement in the young squad and believes they are building nicely towards hosting the Asian Cup in January.
“If you look at our performances every game we’re getting stronger and stronger,” Oar told FFA TV.
“Obviously we had a lot of hard games in a row, with the World Cup and preparations for the World Cup we played a lot of difficult opponents.
“But in the last game against Saudi Arabia we had more of a gauge of the type of opponents we’re going to play against at the Asian Cup and if you look at our development it’s been very good.
“And also in training in this camp it’s been very intense and hopefully we can carry this form into these two games.”
Asked what the side took out the win over Saudi Arabia, Oar said: “Looking back at that game we let them back in having been a few goals up and that’s obviously disappointing.
“The way the boss likes to play is an attacking style and we have to keep taking the game to the opposition.
“Once everyone buys into that system we’ll be a lot stronger and formidable opponent.”