“A lot of the players are having time off after the Uruguay game and we’ve only got one preparation game in Singapore later in June. I’m not sure if that’s going to be enough as a lead-in to a major tournament,” he tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

“It’s no good taking short cuts. I just hope that the FFA learned from the World Cup campaign. People think about the games, but Guus [Hiddink] had everything at his disposal leading into the tournament. I hope I’m wrong.

“The standard was set last year. And the expectations in terms of our national team have increased. Every time we go out people are expecting us to win. And that’s not such a bad thing.”

Postecoglou completed his contract with FFA last February after seven years in charge of the Joeys and Young Socceroos (he is pictured with the U-20 side in 2002). He currently works for Fox Sports as a football pundit.

The Melbourne-based coach pulled on the green and gold four times from 1986 to 1988 and as a Young Socceroo before that. He played 193 NSL games for South Melbourne, winning two national league titles, and then went on to coach South Melbourne to two titles, and to the FIFA World Club Championship in 2000. He was also NSL Coach of the Year in 1998.

“The standard was set at the World Cup last year and we shouldn’t fall below that. That’s how you prepare for major tournaments and the Asian Cup is a major tournament. We should be preparing exactly the same way as we did last year.

“I just sense that we maybe are taking a few shortcuts. And when you do that, I think you compromise what you’re trying to achieve.

“Obviously the same old things are going to get thrown up about costs and resources but if they didn’t matter before a World Cup then they shouldn’t matter now either. If you look at the other Asian Cup nations they’re already getting together and starting to play a number of friendlies.”

Looking ahead to the Asian Cup, Postecoglou believes there may be a surprise packet outside the big four of Iran, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

“We could see a UAE or the Saudis surprise the pack. If a few results go their way, they could end up in the semi finals.”

Postecoglou would remember UAE from 2003. The Young Socceroos won their group in the World Championships defeating eventual winners Brazil, only to be eliminated by the host UAE and their star player Ismael Mattar in the second round.

“The conditions shouldn’t be a surprise so I don’t’ think we can really use the conditions as an excuse. The reality is that the conditions will be as much of an obstacle to us as the opposition will be,” he adds of Bangkok's humidity.

As for Saturday night’s rematch with Uruguay, Postecoglou says he’s looking forward to seeing some of the players he helped develop during his time in the national set up. “I’ve known Carl [Valeri] since he was 16 or 17… it’s taken him a while to get where he is today.

“But now he’s a very mature young man and I’d like to see him get more of an opportunity in that central midfield position. And if Matty Spiranovic can get himself on the pitch then that’ll be great as well.”

“Scotty’s [McDonald] done it tough in England, but he’s gone to Scotland and done well. If you look at his career, though, he’s scored goals everywhere. Although being a major influence in the team like a Viduka, I don’t think he’s that kind of player."