Sydney: Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan believes the current side is stronger than the one that played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
In the past week, the Socceroos recorded 7-0 and 5-1 victories over Tajikistan and Jordan respectively to advance to the final round of the qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and book their place at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, after finishing top of Group B in the joint-qualifiers.
It keeps alive their hopes of playing in world football’s biggest tournament for a fourth consecutive edition, and they will be hoping to get the chance to show they have improved since two years ago, when they finished bottom of a difficult group after defeats to Chile, Netherlands and Spain.
However, Ryan believes recent results are already proof that they have progressed under Postecoglou, who took over just eight months prior to that World Cup following the departure of Holger Osieck.
“It wasn’t too long ago, with all due respect to past Socceroos, that we were struggling against this type of opposition (Tajikistan and Jordan),” he said, according to Australia’s official website.
“We have an enormous confidence and we’re the champions of Asia. No matter who we’re playing – be it Germany, Holland or whoever – we’ve shown we can take it to teams.”
Ryan was referring to their impressive 2-2 draw in a friendly against Germany last March, as well as a stirring display which ultimately ended in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Netherlands, who eventually finished third, at the last World Cup.
The Valencia custodian added: “We’re a better team now than at the World Cup and everyone who comes in buys into what we’re trying to do.
“The togetherness of the squad is very important, we get on a like a big family. We’re enjoying the football.”
Ryan did admit to being slightly disappointing at having conceded a last-minute goal to Abdallah Deeb in the triumph over Jordan, especially having had little to do through the 90 minutes as his team-mates dominated proceedings.
“It’s disappointing, but the most important thing is the result and performance,” explained the 23-year-old.
“We showed we’re doing positive things, but we can always learn.”
Since bursting on the scene with Central Coast Mariners in 2010, Ryan has gone on to establish himself as one of Australia’s stars, having played in Belgium with Club Brugge before joing Spanish side Valencia and replacing Mark Schwarzer as the Socceroos’ number one in goal.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com