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Just seven months ago, Ange Postecoglou officially earned the mantle of worst Socceroos coach ever.
There was little doubting he was the right man for the job, but two wins from his first 12 matches in charge made him statistically the most unsuccessful Australia boss, with a winning percentage of just over 16 per cent.
But that stat was futile – like so many stats are in the numbers game that football is becoming.
Though results hadn’t improved, there was a buzz around the Socceroos setup that offered plenty of promise heading into the Asian Cup; an obvious transition from the pair of 6-0 drubbings against France and Brazil a year earlier.
Tonight’s match against Kyrgyzstan represents an opportunity to cement the security that the Socceroos now enjoy. Following volatile tenures under Holger Osieck and Pim Verbeek, this is the most cohesive Australia has looked in years.
As his first full international season in charge comes to an end, Postecoglou will look back on a campaign with just as much pride at the stability it has yielded as the silverware garnered.
There is a sense of comfort that the current Socceroos squad – slight tinkering aside – will see out the road to Russia in 2018. If not for enforced changes, the line-up in Bishek would be almost identical to the one that lifted the Asian Cup in Sydney.
And there is an aura of positivity among the current crop, that they truly believe in the cause. The days of a disjointed unit seem distant and recent performances have given a sense that there is an understanding right across the park.
Mass Luongo, though absent this week through injury, has been a key to improving the fluidity of the Socceroos’ attack, while the defence is slowly moulding into a solid structure, albeit with the back four far from set in stone.
Mathew Leckie has made great strides under Postecoglou, and will be a crucial element should the Socceroos get to Russia, with the next three years giving him a chance to add goals to his vibrant game.
Tim Cahill has deservedly maintained his place, despite calls for him to make way for the next generation. Postecoglou has acknowledged the need for change, but also the need to select a starting line-up based on quality, not age.
The rocky road that threatened to derail the Socceroos’ good work in the mid-2000s has been navigated and Postecoglou admits there are elements of a club culture that has made things secure, without promoting complacency.
“We’ve made some progress there, for sure. Even the new ones that come in get indoctrinated pretty quickly by the other boys,” he said in Fairfax Media. “We’ve got a pretty comfortable setup. I never want them to be too comfortable, because it’s not a club side. And as I keep telling them, the next game isn’t for a couple of months and there’s no guarantees they’ll be part of that. They’ve got to make sure every time they come into camp they give a good account of themselves.”
Among the obstacles for tonight’s qualifier include a pitch that makes Suncorp Stadium look like the Emirates and a preparation made difficult by the enigma that is Kyrgyzstan’s football team.
I hope @MatyRyan packed his gardening gloves. #foxfootball pic.twitter.com/eZsS21F9HX
— Murray Shaw (@MurrayShaw1) June 15, 2015
The bumpy pitch will be of little concern to Postecoglou, who has refused to use it as an escape route should the Socceroos under perform.
And, if anything, the unknowns they’re walking into have made the players more alert than usual.
“It will be a challenging game. They’ve had a win away from home, which is a good confidence boost for them. They were well-organised defensively,” Postecoglou added.
“They’ll be exciting about playing us. For them, it’s an opportunity to stamp their mark on their World Cup qualifying campaign and where they want to go as a nation. We go out to dominate the game, but that’s regardless of the opponent.”
While the Socceroos line-up is yet to be confirmed, it largely selects itself. The backline will present Postecoglou with the greatest headache.
Ivan Franjic and Jason Davidson have almost become mainstays in the fullback positions, but neither managed to play regularly for their clubs last season. That has opened the door for Tarek Elrich and Aziz Behich to step into contention and give Postecoglou a decision to make.
Elrich, a model footballer in all respects, has opted to remain in the Socceroos camp despite the tragic death of his brother Adham last week. His commitment to the jersey is to be admired, as is the environment that has allowed him to feel at home some 11,000 kilometres away from his family.
“It’s about giving people the space, and Tarek has certainly had that the last couple of days,” Postecoglou said. “He’s had great support from the players and staff. The only thing I said to him was that if at any point he wants to go home he can, no repercussions. That can be tomorrow, it can be the day of the game. It’s a personal thing and far be it from me to try and comfort, console or steer a person in that situation.
“He feels pretty good at the moment in terms of being here. He’s spoken to back home obviously and he’s comfortable with where he’s at. If that changes we’ll get him home as quick as possible.
“At the moment he feels good about being here surrounded by the players and staff. It’s a good environment and hopefully he’ll get back home in the next couple of days and be with his loved ones.”
While three points is expected to be a mere formality in Kyrgyzstan, the Socceroos will be determined to put on the type of well-rounded show that will bode well on the path to Russia.
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