Unheralded hype, transfer talk and a pockmarked pitch won’t derail Australia’s Asian Cup campaign, coach Ange Postecoglou says.
Postecoglou dismisses the distractions as the Socceroos pledge a full-tilt approach to their showdown with South Korea in Brisbane on Saturday night.
The winner will top Group A and a draw is enough for the Australia to retain top billing ahead of the South Koreans. Both nations are assured quarter-final slots.
Australia’s preparation for the fixture comes amid intensifying expectations, some players being linked with transfers and concern about the Brisbane stadium’s pitch, labelled a “disgrace” by attacker Robbie Kruse.
But Postecoglou says the Socceroos remain squarely focused on downing the Koreans and protecting their unbeaten status.
“We’re pretty clear on what our approach has been and what it will continue to be,” Postecoglou told reporters on Friday.
“There is a game of football to be played and every time that happens we’re going to try and win it.”
Postecoglou forecast about three changes to his starting line-up and he’s still unsure if captain Mile Jedinak will return from an ankle injury.
But he’s adamant the hype hovering over his team is a “benefit more than a hindrance”.
“The expectation … is helping us, particularly with the players, most of them are at the beginning of their journey as international footballers,” he said.
“I think they’re understanding now just what an impact they can have on our country when the national team does well.”
Key Socceroos including goalkeeper Mat Ryan and striker Tomi Juric are dealing with speculation about their futures.
Ryan on Thursday was linked with Liverpool, the same day Juric snubbed a lucrative offer to play in China, preferring to seek an opportunity in Europe.
“No-one has spoken to me about it and I’d be surprised if the players are distracted by it,” Postecoglou said of the transfer talk.
“We had a good chat at the start of the whole campaign and made it pretty clear that the most important thing is what we do as a team and the individual stuff gets put in the locker until the end of the tournament.
“I’m not surprised some of our players are getting attention. But if we keep doing well, that attention won’t diminish.”
Nor does criticism of the Suncorp Stadium surface particularly bother Postecoglou.
“Comparing it to the other pitches we have played on, it’s not to the same standard,” he said.
“It’s going to make it a little bit more of a challenge.
“But from our perspective there is nothing we can do about it now and it’s not going to change our approach.
“The beauty of it is hopefully the state of the pitch will be balanced right out by a full stadium. The ground has been sold out, there’s a fantastic atmosphere and it will give the players a lift.”
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