Postecoglou proud of passing Caltex Socceroos' biggest test

An "overwhelmed" Ange Postecoglou has described Australia's successful FIFA World Cup qualification campaign as the most difficult challenge of his managerial career.

The Caltex Socceroos impressively negotiated the final hurdle by brushing aside Honduras 3-1 in the second leg of the intercontinental playoff on Wednesday.

"It's the hardest thing I've ever done, these last four years," Postecoglou told Fox Sports.

"Having to go to the World Cup [in 2014] with really a rookie squad, knowing we had to win the Asian Cup and then taking a group of players on a journey they’ve pretty much never been on in terms of qualification.

"When you're coaching your own nation the burden of responsibility is even greater.

"We deserve to be there, the players deserve to be there. They’ve done it the hard way but they got their rewards tonight. I'm just delighted for each and every one of them."

After a nervy first half finished scoreless, captain Mile Jedinak came to the fore by scoring twice from the spot and seeing an earlier free-kick deflected in for the opener.

Postecoglou revealed his half-time message to the team was to be strong in their convictions.

"I think it's important you stand for something," he said.

"[Before the match] I showed them the interview I did when I got the job. I said that day we weren’t going to take any backward steps the next four years.

"As I keep telling the guys, if we really believe in what we're doing and we're resilient in it we'll break most teams down.

"It's been our attitude all the way through."