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The players skipped commercial appearances in Perth in the
latest saga of a protracted row between Football Federation
Australia (FFA) and Professional Footballers Australia over
negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Postecoglou, who led Australia to the Asian Cup title on home
soil in January, said he wanted the players focussed on
Thursday's clash against the Bangladeshis and next week's
fixture in Tajikistan.
"I should be talking about team selection, team tactics, growth,
qualifying for the next World Cup," Postecoglou was quoted as
saying by Australian media on Tuesday.
"Maybe there's a perception outside of camp that these games
aren't going to be that tough, and we can afford to have
arguments that don't impact us on the football field."
A Bangladesh team official told Reuters last week they were just
hoping to keep the score to three goals when they faced the
Asian champions in the Group B encounter.
Australia, who beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in June, will travel to
Central Asia to take on Tajikistan on Tuesday. The Socceroos
need to finish top of the group, which also features Jordan, to
ensure they progress to the second stage of Asian qualifiers.
Postecoglou refused to take sides in the row and said it was an
unwelcome distraction.
"I'm not happy it's getting played out in Socceroo camp," he
said.
"I don't have the players often and when I have them, that
time's precious. I don't want any minute wasted.
"If we think it's OK during the World Cup qualifiers to play out
this scenario then I'm out of whack with everyone else because I
think while the camp is on... lay down your guns and pick them
up as soon as it's over, and go as hard as you want.
"It's not good enough." (Writing by Patrick Johnston in
Singapore; Editing by John O'Brien)
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