Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for his team after they out-smarted and outplayed UAE to win 1-0 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday morning (AEST).
The Socceroos have now made it two wins from two in the final phase of World Cup qualification in Group B.
“Sensational. Not just the result but the performance,” Postecoglou told Fox Sports after the match.
Super-sub Cahill wins it for the Caltex Socceroos
“We said were going to play our way and we did. They [UAE] just couldn’t keep up and we got the goal we deserved and probably could have got a couple more. The boys were fantastic.”
Postecoglou added that while his team were tired in the 30 plus degree temperature, by making UAE run, they tired even more.
“We were tired but they were more tired. They were chasing the ball. As I said to the players, it’s not how you feel, it’s how the opposition feel.
“And we could see from the bench they were struggling a lot more than we were. It was only a matter of time and the kind of game we play... I said before the game they’ll sit back and that’s what they did.
“And if they want to come at us, good luck to them but not many teams have. And there’s more growth in this team to come.”
Postecoglou hailed the legendary Tim Cahill for his winner but had equal praise for the player who assisted the second half winner.
“What a ball from Smith [Brad Smith].”