Postecoglou won't deviate from coaching philosophy

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says his attacking instincts will always outweigh his desire to try and play out for a result at the Asian Cup and beyond.

Ahead of the Socceroos’ crucial clash against Oman on Tuesday night, Postecoglou declared he will continue to instruct his side to go for goals right to the death regardless of the score or time of the match.

Leading 3-1 against Kuwait on Friday night and with the match firmly in their keeping, the Socceroos continued to bomb forward in large numbers.

Only a couple of superb saves from goal-keeper Mat Ryan denied Kuwait getting back in the contest late on, before James Troisi iced the result in stoppage-time.

Asked if he would try and close games down when in front, a bullish Postecoglou said: “I think I've been telling them just the opposite.

"I love the fact that in the 92nd minute (against Kuwait) we get a free-kick and instead of trying to sit on 3-1 we were going for a fourth goal.

“I think Australians like their teams to play like that and we’re Australian.

“I know it’s not going to please the purists but I’m happy to win 7-3, 8-3 if it means winning games of football and we’re attacking teams.

“That won’t change while I’m in charge. Of course you don’t want to give away goals and we were really disappointed with the way we gave it away (against Kuwait) was unacceptable and the players know it can't happen again.

“That was disappointing but it doesn’t come from having an attacking approach that just comes from a lack of concentration.”

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After a difficult 2014 that saw the Socceroos win just one match, Postecoglou is feeling much more upbeat about what the New Year holds.

The Socceroos boss is seeing improvement with every camp, every session and believes his message and philosophy is starting to hit home with the squad.

“I feel the players are a lot more comfortable now with the way we want to play,” he said.

“Along the journey we’ve given a few an opportunity and we’ve seen particularly the group we’ve got now they’ve grown with that.

“There’s definitely a lot better understanding of the type of football we want to play and the team we want to be.

“I feel the Japan trip (in November) was a real turning point for us. We had 10 days in camp and it seemed it really clicked with the players we had there.

“The pleasing thing about Friday night was yes we won but the performance was really disciplined in the way we want to play.”

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