Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has named his squad for the upcoming Asian Cup under increasing pressure to produce results after a return of just two wins from twelve matches at the helm. The Socceroos have plummeted to the lowly ranking of 102 in the FIFA world rankings but Postecoglou remains unfazed declaring that it’s all part of the plan for the World Cup in 2032.

“I’ve made no secret of the fact that we are in a rebuilding phase,” Postecoglou told the (un)Australian, “The so-called golden generation needs to be forgotten about as well as the results that came with them.”

The golden generation of players which included such luminaries as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Lucas Neill have all retired from international football, a move that is likely to be replicated hundreds of times before the squad is finalised in 20 years’ time.

“The next golden generation is in varying stages of incubation, the young up-and-comers are still separated sperm and egg, while the veterans of the squad may already be zygotes,” said Postecoglou, “We have scouts monitoring pre-natal wards all over the country.”

Postecoglou’s long term strategy has come under criticism from some corners, with many calling for more focus on immediate results. The leader of the Socceroos’ supporter group, the Green and Gold Army, told The (un)Australian, “I was in Germany in ’74, and in ’06, I’d like something else to cheer for before I die.”

Postecoglou remains focused though, “I don’t care what anyone says, I’m the coach and they’re not the boss of me.”

Ryan Crawford

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Categories: Sport

Tags: Ange Postecoglou, Fifa, World Cup