Australia’s current FIFA world rank is not good enough to ensure a spot in the 2018 World Cup in Russia according to Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.
Despite inspirational efforts against Chile and Netherlands, Postecoglou’s Socceroos faltered to a winless exit in Group B after producing a tired and unconvincing effort against an out of form Spain in their Tuesday morning send-off.
The former Australian international’s post-Brazil goal will be to dramatically improve on the Socceroos FIFA world ranking of 62 while closing the gap on the international football’s top teams.
“We can’t come to the next World Cup ranked 60 in the world,’’ Postecoglou told Fox Sports.
“We faced three of the top 15, maybe top 10 teams, and we’re not there yet. Results don’t lie That’s the challenge for the next four years to bridge that gap.
The Socceroos’ commendable fighting spirit was on full display in a near come from behind win against Chile before taking a surprising 2-1 second half lead against 2010 finalists the Netherlands.
“We’ve surprised lots of people with our approach but we didn’t get results.
“We came here to measure ourselves against the best – there were periods where they felt good and belonged and could dom some of the best in world, There were moments where we struggled.”
Rushed into the role of coach less than a year before Brazil, Postecoglou believes the majority of roster turnover has already been completed and he can now begin work on a more “methodical” approach to Russia.
The 48-year-old’s first order of business after replacing German Holger Osieck eight months ago was to scrap the World Cup tested generation of Socceroos no longer receiving regular game-time for their club teams, including the recent departures of Harry Kewell and Brett Holman. Expect that mentality to remain as Postecoglou prepares January’s Asian Cup, to be played on home soil.
Football Federation Australia is seeking six international friendlies in the lead up to the tournament, two of which will be played “likely in Europe” according to the coach before further matches in mid-October and a couple more at home in November.
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
