Ange’s take on Socceroos’ struggles

ANGE Postecoglou admits the Socceroos’ development has “stalled” while the rest of Asia is improving amid Australia’s struggles in their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign.

It comes after the Socceroos dropped more crucial points in their quest to qualify automatically for the World Cup later this year, conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Oman.

Graham Arnold’s side are currently third in Group B and must beat Japan and Saudi Arabia in their final two games to clinch an automatic spot.

The Socceroos could face the daunting task of playing Asian and South American opposition in two cut-throat playoff matches to advance to the Qatar showpiece.

Postecoglou, who won an Asian Cup in 2015 and guided the Socceroos to the 2018 World Cup via the playoffs, said Australia should be “disappointed” if they don’t qualify for a fifth consecutive World Cup.

“I’m following obviously. I’ve got a vested interest, it’s my nation, we’ve qualified for the last few World Cups, and you want them to do it again,” the Celtic boss told SEN Mornings.

“It’s not an easy path, we know that. I think from my perspective, and the signs have been there for a while, that the rest of Asia is improving and we’ve kind of stalled in our development.

“The four years I had in charge were fantastic for me, we won an Asian Cup, we qualified for a World Cup, and I think we need to maintain those kinds of standards.

“We should be disappointed if we don’t go to a World Cup. It’s not about saying, ‘Let’s miss one so we can learn’, we’ve done enough learning.

“Our expectation should be to qualify for World Cups all the time.”

Since resigning as Socceroos coach before the 2018 World Cup, Postecoglou has won a J-League title with Yokohama F.Marinos in 2019 and a League Cup with Scottish giants Celtic last December.

The Australian has the Bhoys top of the Scottish Premier League with 14 games remaining after thrashing bitter rivals Rangers 3-0 at Celtic Park.

– BY ALEX ZAIA/ SEN