Socceroos take a young squad to Brazil and face a tough passage in the Pool stages.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is ignoring the growing level of criticism being levelled at him by former international players and other pundits ahead of the World Cup.
Robbie Slater and Mark Bosnich joined former Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer have spoken out about the final make-up of the side.
Of primary concern for the trio is Like Wilkshire being cut, which comes on the back of Josh Kennedy (back) and Tom Rogic (groin) being sent home due to their injuries.
What Postecoglou considers his strongest XI will be on display in Australia’s final warm-up game on Saturday when they take on Croatia in Salvador.
The Aussie coach said he did what he thought was right, despite sending experienced players Lucas Neill, Sasa Ognenovski and Brett Holman also into international retirement.
“No I’m not surprised at all, and look, people are entitled to their opinion. This is our national team, people are passionate about it I understand that,’’ Postecoglou said.
“If people think I’m pulling the wrong reins now, well they better get used to it because I’m not going to change.
“I firmly believe — and since I’ve been in the job it’s become a lot clearer to me — that we’re on the right track and we’ll end up in a better place.
“If they think what I’m doing right now is not right then they’re going to be critical of me the whole time I’m in charge because I’m not going to change. This is what I do. I’m headed down this road and I think we’ll end up in a much better place.”
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