Moscow: Head coach Ange Postecoglou has declared that Australia have every intention of winning the FIFA Confederations Cup which is set to get underway in Russia on Saturday.
The Socceroos, who qualified for the global gathering after winning the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, face world champions Germany in their Group B opener on Monday, and despite Tuesday’s hefty 4-0 friendly defeat to Brazil, Postecoglou is adamant that his charges are aiming high.
“We want to win it,” he said.
“I know after [the Brazil game] that probably sounds ridiculous, but I took this job with the intent of being as ambitious as I possibly can for Australian football.
“When you’re ambitious you have spectacular failures and spectacular successes. I’m not going to coach in between, just notch up a stint for my country as a coach flat-lining. Let’s go there and see what we can do.
“The first game is obviously critical. If we get a result against Germany then it’s that kind of competition that you’ve got a chance.”
Australia head into the Confederations Cup occupying third place in Group B of the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
With only the top two sides assured of a ticket to next year’s finals, and crunch games against Japan and Thailand to come in August and September respectively, Postecoglou believes a positive showing at the Confederations Cup could well boost his side’s qualification hopes.
"We want to make sure we give a good account of ourselves and try and get as far in the tournament as we possibly can,” explained the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory tactician.
"That'll help us with [World Cup] qualification as well. If you can do it against the best in the world and continue to develop and evolve then you've got more chance of being competitive and making an impact at a World Cup."
Australia Confederations Cup Fixtures:
June 19 v Germany (Sochi)
June 22 v Cameroon (St Petersburg)
June 25 v Chile (Moscow)
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com