The ever-cagey tactician will be as inscrutable as ever in finalising his starting team for Friday’s (AEDT) World Cup qualifier against Group B rival Jordan in Amman, insisting the air of mystery helps maintain the intensity and sharpness of his varying line-ups.
While he is unlikely to make any radical alterations from the team which disposed of Tajikistan 3-0 a month ago, Postecoglou is also offering no guarantees as he seeks to pilot Australia to a fourth straight group win and all but seal a passage through to the final stage of qualifying.
“The players come into camp not sure whether they will play, which is a good thing and it makes us hard to line-up against for the opposition because we can throw four or five different line-ups out there which can be equally as effective,” Postecoglou said.
“It’s something we need to build on ... it would be easy to say we have won three games and let's stick with the group which has brought those results.
"But it's served us well to continue to toss it around and gives guys an opportunity and we’ll continue to do that.”
While mindful that Australia came unstuck 2-1 on its last visit to Amman in a World Cup qualifier just over three years ago, Postecoglou is not contemplating the prospect of another upset, albeit in front of a hostile and intimating crowd.
“We want to be the dominant country in our region, wherever we play we want to go in with that mind-set,” he said.
“I want to get to the next World Cup and make an impact. It’s not just about qualifying. Just qualifying doesn’t cut it anymore and it should not be our sole ambition and goal.
“If you are champion of a region and you qualify for a World Cup, you are not going there to make up the numbers.”
Postecoglou is not expecting any radical change of game plan from a Jordan side approaching its third qualifier under new Belgian coach Paul Put, who has guided his team to within two points of the group leading Socceroos.
“I don’t see any major adjustments to the way they play … they are still threatening going forward and will provide some major challenges, particularly here in Amman where they have a good record," Postecoglou said.
“The flip side is we are going pretty well ourselves and our challenge is to see whether we can again dominate and impose ourselves.
“When we looked at the draw - we had three away games from the first four, two at places we'd never been to and one at Jordan, where we lost last time.
“We knew the early part of qualifying was critical in building our foundation through this first qualifying phase.
“So far it’s gone well, and post this result there will still be plenty for both teams to play for."
