The Socceroos are bracing for a scrapfest on one of the worst pitches they will encounter during their World Cup qualification campaign against Iraq in Tehran on Thursday night.
Coach Ange Postecoglou has inspected the turf at the PAS Stadium and rates it as even worse than the horrendous patchwork surface they endured in November’s 2-2 draw with Thailand.
But while conceding it will pose problems with their possession-heavy style of play, he insists they will stick to their guns.
“What do you do? Do you adjust your game for just one result or do you stick to your principles?” Postecoglou said.
“Maybe that’s me being stubborn but I just like to stick to our principles and still be successful doing it our way.
“The one thing we will factor into it is the 11 we put out on Thursday will be probably the fittest 11 we’ve got here, because we know it’s going to be a bit of a battle of 50-50 challenges.
“There won’t be a lot of times where things will be running smoothly.
“We’ll just try and play the same way and try and find our solutions in our game.”
The Socceroos will get their first look at the ground during their final training session on Wednesday night (AEDT).
They will be without key playmaker Tom Rogic, who has been sidelined since December following ankle surgery but is reportedly nearing a return to full fitness.
With a surplus of in-form midfielders in the squad, however, Postecoglou is confident his absence will be no major loss to the team given Rogic is yet to replicate his sensational form for Celtic at international level.
“If you look at Tommy’s performances last year, they weren’t anything exceptional for us – they were for Celtic,” he said.
“I think he’s still learning to be an international footballer.
“We sometimes want things too quickly from some of our players and Tommy, the last calendar year, was the first time really he’s had any sort of run in the national team.
“With the whole places we’ve played in – particularly away from home where conditions were really tough for players like him – I don’t think he was as influential as he can be or as I think he will be as he matures.”
marcel
Guest
The funniest bit is when he logs on as someone new to agree with himself.
Nemesis
Guest
mattq Keen to know more about your coaching philosophy to know whether I should be concerned having blind faith in Ange. What's your success rate when you've implemented your "flexible approach depending on the circumstances, opposition, temp, pitch condition, players available" at professional level, or even at amateur level?
mattq
Guest
agree Evan, seems a strange statement. Surely a flexible approach depending on the circumstances, opposition, temp, pitch condition, players available etc. is the smartest coaching methodology. Well, that's just my opinion (ok Fuss?)
Mickyo
Guest
Lol You desperately, desperately need validation, that's why you log on as 5 different people fuss. You and your mates are the best thing to happen Australian football!.
Chris
Guest
So if a hockey team were to play on a bumpy non synthetic pitch we'd do what? To play good football you need a flat pitch. Its really that simple. Yes the aussies will adapt etc etc. Its ignorant people that have little idea of football that come up with with such gems as "suck it up" etc etc.
Chris
Guest
haha not sure about that. But seriously if the pitch is going to be bumpy what else can you do? Yes we'd like to say we are as technical as the Argentines, Spanish...but we are not. On a bumpy pitch the last thing I want to see is the back 4 playing square passes across the back just waiting for a disaster to happen.
stu
Guest
Chris....now you have given away the 'mystery wrapped in an enigma'.
Rasty
Guest
Time to harden up princess.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Thailand looked energetic and quick in the game against Australia in November. I think the draw against the Thais was more about Australia's application and mentality going into that match, than the pitch or the heat. The SOCCERoos thought they were going to walk all over Thailand and weren't up to a full 90 minute effort. What's with Australians complaining about soccer pitches in foreign countries, complaining about cricket pitches in foreign countries? Always whining if every little thing isn't the same as back home. Iran has bigger concerns than making sure soccer grounds have billiard table surfaces. Australia should just be happy that they're playing an opponent at a neutral ground and leave it at that.
Chris
Guest
Well Plan B would be to get it down the line and lump it in early. I'm pretty sure Ange has that one covered.
Chris
Guest
I can see Tim getting more game time. Get it into the mixer!
Chris
Guest
Haha so true! And with all the rain we've had in Sydney coupled with our useless green keepers its not going to be pretty.
Lionheart
Guest
yes, indeed.
Nemesis
Guest
Don't care if my vision for football ever comes to fruition. They're my random thoughts on how I'd like the sport restructured. I certainly couldn't care less if people agree with me, or don't. And I don't need validation from strangers. There are few on this forum that I actually think have something worthwhile to say. You are certainly not one of those people.
Mark
Guest
I'm sure it will be as useful as advice on how FIFA and the FFA should run international and Australian football from a guy who spends his spare time posting on internet message boards.
Fadida
Guest
Funnily enough, MClaren partnered with Juric or Cahill would actually work well
Nemesis
Guest
My default opinion is: the expert in the job are better than doing the job than anyone on this forum. Other than that, go for it give us your opinions. I'm about to get engineering advice from the guy who owns the coffee shop - he thinks civil engineers are useless & over-paid.
Bfc
Guest
Certainly no shortage of dodgy pitches in Oz...especially now that the Super Rugby season has begun. Ange has already made it known they are unhappy about the state of the Sydney pitch scheduled for the next WCQ, so our Roos had better get used to a bobbling ball....
punter
Guest
Yep Griffo, have to agree with that, we have to adapt to the conditions we are playing with. A friend of mine who grew up in Argentina, says he laughs at people who complain about poor pitches at grassroots level in Australia, they are 100 times worse in Argentina, yet they still are able to produce high quality players, who first touch & passing are amongst the best in the world.
Kaks
Roar Guru
At least we have guy's like Juric and Cahill who can excel if we do go with that game plan. Better than doing that with a guy like McLaren leading the line like we tried previously.