Ange Postecoglou wants the Australian public to stop treating Socceroos home games as a trendy event.
Rather, the Australian coach wants the public to embrace them for what they are: Important, fully-fledged, football games.
“It’s about hopefully people understanding that particularly in World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos are not just a show who come into town,” Postecoglou told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday.
“These games are important.”
The Socceroos host Saudi Arabia next Thursday night in Adelaide in a qualifier crucial to the nation’s chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
Australia are third in their group, trailing Japan and the Saudis, with three group games remaining – the top two book cup berths.
And Postecoglou wanted the Australian public to play their part in the remainder of the campaign.
“When we play away from home, the opposition have every advantage on their side,” he said.
“They have got the crowd behind them, they get the pitch they want, the conditions that they’re used to – everything around it is suited for them.
“And when we play (in Australia) I want the same.”
Postecoglou said he needed Australian pitches to suit his side’s possession-based style and big crowds that intimidated opposing nations.
“That is the challenge,” he said.
“I think we need to move on from just thinking that the Socceroos playing in a World Cup qualifier is an event – it’s not.
“There is plenty at stake here next Thursday night and I want a crowd behind us that understand that and put pressure on the opposition and on everyone else to make sure the conditions favour us.”
Caltex, TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Yes, had me thinking as well---could it be, he is being touted for the national post?
Lionheart
Guest
so why has Muscat been added to the coaching staff?
Mark
Guest
Notwithstanding that "a show that comes into town" is exactly how the FFA markets and publicises Socceroos matches. Rather than choosing venues based on the likely crowd, the weather and the state of the pitch to maximize home team advantage, the FFA sells them off to the highest bidder.
Paul
Guest
Postecoglou needs to not be a hypocrite if he wants to be taken seriously. He said he would pick players who were playing, therefore Kruse. Out, Goodwin in
saul
Guest
I wish the tickets were cheaper
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Ange really has me scratching my head lately with some of his comments. We know exactly what's at stake Ange, we've been used to regular Asian World cup qualifying matches for over a decade now, what does he want? the fans turn out in good numbers generally...of course some matches catch the imagination more than others. Is he even talking about the footballing public or the media or what?
Nemesis
Guest
@ton Based on this comment you are clueless about the FIFA World Cup tournament. Educate yourself, to avoid further embarrassment.
ton
Guest
I don't expect Australia to qualify for the WC. Australia is number 50 in the FIFA rankings and from my experience that ranking has an accuracy of about +/-10 ranks. So even IF Australia WAS 10 places better than the official ranking(which I believe it is not), it would still be 40th but only the best 32 deserve to be in the World Cup.