Young excellence, promotion battles, and a happy farewell: The Australian team of the week from players around the globe
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
Ange Postecoglou always backed his own ability as an international coach but he admits those who doubted have helped fuel his fire.
Fresh from leading the Socceroos to an historic Asian Cup triumph, Postecoglou will this week square up against the world’s leading international mentor in German World Cup winner Joachim Loew.
Postecoglou is playing down Wednesday’s friendly in Kaiserslauthern as a coaching battle, seeing it as just another exciting challenge in his 18-year career.
But he admitted on match eve to taking some motivation from those who have questioned his ability over the years, feeling much of it was down to a stigma surrounding Australian coaches.
“I’ve always backed myself against anybody,” said Postecoglou, who enjoyed club success with South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar.
“I think the only thing that is a little bit of a detriment to me is that I’m Australian.
“If I was any other nationality, I don’t think people would be questioning anything I do but because I’m Australian people are always saying `how good can you be?’
“That’s fine and maybe that’s what keeps my fires burning – constantly kind of thinking `why do people keep asking questions that you’ve answered many years ago?'”
Postecoglou said his biggest motivators were the challenges that await the Socceroos on the road to the Russia 2018 World Cup.
“When I think about what’s ahead and what we can accomplish, that gets me excited and really focused,” he said.
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Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
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