Coach Ange Postecoglou doesn’t mind where the Socceroos’ pivotal final home World Cup qualifier is held, as long as the pitch gives his squad the best possible home advantage.
Australia’s last fixture against Thailand on September 5 could be the make or break on the road to Russia 2018.
The Victorian government has reportedly launched a bid to host the high-stakes clash at AAMI Park, which falls five days after the Socceroos’ away qualifier against Japan five days earlier.
As Football Federation Australia make moves to lock in a venue, Postecoglou was more focused on facilities.
“I think the most important thing for us is the surface,” Postecoglou said.
“Its very important, we have seen that in recent times.
“Wherever we are most welcome you would like to think everyone would back us for that most crucial qualifier.
“We have travelled around the country a fair bit since I have been in charge.
“From that perspective the one thing we want to make sure is we get the right kind of conditions to play our football to give us any home advantage we need.”
Postecoglou has been critical of some of the pitches served up for Socceroos games around Australia.
He was particularly irate about the surface at ANZ Stadium for last year’s friendly with Greece, while there was a private belief Allianz Stadium fell short of international standard for March’s 2-0 qualifying win over the United Arab Emirates.
Third-placed Australia are locked in a battle with Saudi Arabia and Japan for two automatic World Cup spots.
To finish third would send them to playoffs against the third-placed side from Group A (currently Uzbekistan), with the winner of that two-legged series taking on the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF qualifying, a far-from-ideal scenario.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
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?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
