Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is hoping he’ll be able to right a forgettable past 12 months when his side jogs onto the pitch at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to take on Kuwait on Friday evening.
With just a pair of wins from 12 outings and a winless World Cup campaign since taking over the reins from Holger Osieck in October 2013, Postecoglou is looking forward to playing in front of a friendly home crowd as the Socceroos host 15 of region’s best sides at the 2015 Asian Cup.
“I’m looking forward to walking out and seeing the Aussie shirts and just feeling a bit of love,’’ Postecoglou said.
“It’s been a tough 12 months, we’ve been to places like Belgium, Japan, Middle East, the UK and it’s always nice when the majority of the crowd is behind you.
“Once they walk out into a packed stadium of Australian supporters and see the green and gold in the stands, whatever words I’ve said will dissipate pretty quickly and that emotion will take them through.”
Losses to Belgium, Qatar and Japan, as well as scoreless draw with the United Arab Emirates, have represented a far from ideal Asian Cup preparation for Postecoglou’s men, but relief could be on the horizon as the Socceroos travel to AAMI Park, ANZ Stadium (v Oman) and Suncorp Stadium (v Korea Republic) in the next week and a half.
“The last 12 months we’ve been on the road and put some pretty testing challenges in front of them,” Postecoglou added.
“They’re going to feel some love tomorrow night and I’m hoping that takes them onto greater heights.”
Australia Asian Cup Group A Fixtures
Australia v Kuwait
Friday, Jan 9
AAMI Park (Melbourne Rectangular Stadium)
Tickets via AFCAsianCup.com
Australia v Oman
Tuesday, Jan 13
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Tickets via AFCAsianCup.com
Australia v Korea Republic
Saturday, Jan 17
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tickets via AFCAsianCup.com
Photo: William West/Getty Images.
