Ange full of praise after ‘courageous’ performance against Honduras

Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says his team took the home crowd out of the match with only poor finishing stopping them from winning the first leg of their inter-continental World Cup playoff with Honduras.

Australia is in a strong position heading in to the second leg after an impressive display in a 0-0 draw with Honduras on Saturday (AEDT).

“It was fantastic considering everything with the conditions and a home crowd.

“But I said to the boys are half-time they could hear my instructions - that’s how dominant we were.

“We’re just not getting our reward,” the Aussie coach told Fox Sports after the game at the Stadio Olimpico Metropolitano.

Australia had four shots to Honduras’ one on target, and the Socceroos had more total shots (7-5) than the hosts.

Rarely did the hosts offer much threat going forward, opting to go long when possible on the poor pitch.

On the balance of play, Australia should’ve left San Pedro Sula with a 1-0 or 2-0 victory.

Hopefully the lack of a goal doesn’t hurt the green and gold, said Postecoglou.

“It’s probably a part that’s still missing from our game,” he said of the profligacy.

“Sometimes our composure lets us down. But our general play is great but we’re just missing that clinical edge.”

He added it took “courage” to come to Honduras and out play them and create chances.

“It was as good a performance as I could expect on a night like this.”