News » Asian Cup champions increasing depth a sign this is a squad

Some may say the omens arent good for Jamie Whincup winning Sundays Bathurst 1000 after claiming pole position at Mount Panorama.However, few could argue Holdens Whincup is the man to beat for the Great Race after Saturdays top 10 shootout.The four-time Bathurst winner showed his class to finish 0.06 of a second ahead of Volvos Scott McLaughlin, with Fords Chaz Mostert third.But even six-time series champ Whincup has heard the rumours that pole position is a poisoned chalice on the mountain, with the last pole sitter to claim Bathurst honours being Holdens Garth Tander and Will Davison back in 2009.The one before that was in 2003 by Holdens Greg Murphy and Rick Kelly.Whincup himself couldnt do it the last time he finished qualifying on top in 2013.Theres this myth going around that you dont want to be on pole, its bad luck and you dont want to be there, said Whincup, who will partner co-driver Paul Dumbrell on Sunday.But we will try and turn the tide tomorrow.Its just nice to be starting on the front row.Whincup has not won at Bathurst since 2012.Coupled with the supposed omen of pole position, Whincup is also looking for a reversal of fortunes after his past two disastrous Bathurst campaigns.Last year he sensationally ignored team orders to pit before passing a safety car, relegating him from second to the back of the field and finish 18th.And in 2014 the Holden gun also defied a team directive and ran out of fuel on the 161st and final lap while leading.But Whincup is now feeling lucky after somehow avoiding slamming into The Dipper wall in his scorching shootout lap to emerge as the man to beat.He clocked two minutes, 05.426 seconds to pip McLaughlin in the last run of the shootout which decides the front of the grid.McLaughlin - who will partner David Wall - was gutted to have been denied his first Bathurst pole.It is pole position at Bathurst - it means everything, he said.I gave it my all. One day it will happen.Mostert may have not finished with top spot but he still felt like a winner.He finally completed Bathurst qualifying for the first time in his fourth Great Race campaign after a string of disasters.The worst happened last year when Mosterts Bathurst title defence was shattered - along with his leg - when he spectacularly crashed in qualifying, ruling him out for the rest of the season.During the shootout, Mostert was cheered on by rabid Ford fans between The Dipper and Forrests Elbow where he suffered last years horror accident.Its special to have that great support from the fans in my comeback from last year, said Mostert, who will partner Steve Owen.Even the marshalls up there gave me the thumbs up during the warm-up.Thats what makes this place so special. Frank Mason III Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? 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The Socceroos slump against Thailand may just be the latest of three consecutive draws, but its the one Australia will be left to rue the longest in a stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign.Tuesday nights 2-2 stalemate in steaming Bangkok has left the national team on a precarious path to Russia 2018.They got away with last months tough away 2-2 draw with leaders Saudi Arabia.Even a wasteful first half that resulted in a 1-1 home impasse with heavyweights Japan was not dire.But against lowly Thailand, momentum ground to a halt.And the Socceroos will have plenty of time to reflect before embarking on the last five fixtures of the final phase starting in March.Thailand, winless and without a point before Tuesday night, were there for the taking.Three points should have been mere procedure, the only real question just how many goals Australia would score.That Ange Postecoglous men couldnt stamp their authority on a side with a minus nine goal difference is a glaring concern.Postecoglous evolution has been evident, the 2015 Asian Cup champions increasing depth a sign this is a squad built for the future.And the coach has rightly been applauded for his philosophy and ability to inject his unfaltering belief into his squad.Yet Postecoglous assertion that the Socceroos can not only qualify for Russia 2018 but make an impact in the tournament would appear to be a stretch based on current form.Its not good enough, said winger Robbie Kruse.ddddddddddddEveryone needs to have a look at themselves.We didnt perform anywhere near the way we should have, particularly after we got the first goal.Weve let ourselves down in the group now and were one point behind the top two, so now its going to be a lot tenser.There was no more chance (for a slip-up) before tonight, but even more so now.The central issues for the Socceroos is goals - or lack thereof - in the run of play.Australias blushes were saved only by two penalties from captain Mile Jedinak, who also equalised from the spot against Japan.Brisbane striker Jamie Maclaren struggled to impose himself but also received little service in a disjointed front third.And while reliable goalscorers Tomi Juric and Tim Cahill were notable absentees, the problem appears broader, especially when Kruse and Mathew Leckie have just seven goals between them in 85 caps.Late substitute Nathan Burns was a rare hit of energy.The other question surrounds some players lack of club football.Kruses complete absence from Bayer Leverkusens Bundesliga team sheet this season was evident.First-choice left-back Brad Smith is still yet to feature for new English Premier League club Bournemouth while goalkeeper Mat Ryan, despite being the standout performer, has played two La Liga games for Valencia this campaign. 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