The Australian media have been quick to sentence Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s reign the worst of any Socceroos coach ever, and as the nation’s collective disappointment reaches new heights, its hard to keep the faith.
But that’s exactly what star striker Tim Cahill has implored the country to do in the build-up to the Asian Cup in January.
“Australia just has to believe in what we’re trying to do. At home, in Melbourne, Sydney, we’ll have 40,000, everyone will be cheering us on and it will be a different story,” Cahill says. “These chances will turn into goals.”
Last Tuesday, the Socceroos left their last international friendly before the Cup defeated, with Japan getting two goals past Australia’s one.
Coach Postecoglou admitted little details were the team’s undoing.
“We had an excellent first half and even at the start of the second we were looking really good and comfortable, then we conceded the goal and it gave them the momentum and a little bit of belief.
“It was positive but ultimately we can’t defend like that at set pieces. It’s alright getting that part of the game right then being let down by the details.
“The players worked hard, the football was good but when those details are missing you pay the price.”
Postecoglou chose to keep Tim Cahill on the bench and favour an attacking trio of Greek Australian James Troisi, Robbie Kruse and Mathew Leckie.
While they showed promise, they struggled to create enough chances, which forced Postecoglou to unleash Cahill in the dying minutes of the game.
The decision worked wonders, as Cahill scored the team’s only goal, even if it was too late.
The reliance on Cahill has been worrying for the Socceroos, and Postecoglou would be the first to admit it.
Under Postecoglou, Australia have scored 13 goals. Cahill has nine of them.
Postecoglou will now consider his team’s make up for the Cup as he sends off his players to their respective clubs.
No position is safe on his squad, and Postecoglou has made it clear that players without game time will be the first to be left behind.
The Socceroos are currently rated 94th in the world, the lowest ranking the team has recorded in its history.
Postecoglou’s balance sheet is two wins, two draws and eight losses.