Last chance for Socceroos’ “golden generation”

“Welcome to Asia”. That comment from a Socceroo summed up the national team’s frustrations in their opening forays in the Asian confederation.

It revealed a lot about the mindset of some players as they battled to come to grips with the multitude of conditions and countless cultures in the region.

Long used to punching above their weight in sport, most Australians thought the Socceroos a strong chance of winning the 2007 Asian Cup at their first bite following their second round appearance at the 2006 World Cup.

A dash of paranoia about the heat in Thailand and Vietnam in July, a questionable preparation and maybe even a hint of complacency all combined in Australia’s quarter-final exit at the hands of Japan.

“We went (to the 2007 tournament) a little bit unprepared maybe, even under-estimating teams and I think that was the problem,” says hard-running Socceroos midfielder Brett Holman.

“That was a great learning curve for this time around.”

By romping through World Cup qualification for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the Socceroos showed they were getting a handle on playing in Asia.

Especially in terms of the little things, such as adjusting to their opponents’ style of play, showing Asian referees more respect and just getting on with the job regardless of difficulties.

Playing in the region will become second nature for Australia’s next crop of footballers through their experience in junior tournaments.

But for a special group of Australian players, five members of the “golden generation”, it is all about now.

With Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Brett Emerton all on the wrong side of 30, the Asian Cup in Qatar next month looms as a final chance to bow out on top as a group.

By the time the 2014 World Cup in Brazil rolls around, it is hard to see the quintet having such influence on the team.

“Yeah it would be nice to relate the mini-success we have had with an actual trophy,” says Neill.

“We have managed to establish the national team as one of the favourites in our region, our confederation.

“To justify and put our name on the trophy would be fantastic … it will improve the rankings and put some icing on the cake on a good era.

“Then to make that the level and the standard that has to be reached for years to come.

“Everybody plays the game to win and this is a great opportunity to go out and compete for major honours.”

Mark Schwarzer needs no reminding of his 38 years, the Fulham goalkeeper producing some of the best form of his career in his late 30s.

“It is a major tournament and for a lot of us, time is running out,” he said.

“But how quickly time will tell.”

He said that the last campaign had shown Australia’s status in the region counted for little on the pitch and the team would have to be at peak to succeed.

“You can talk as much as you want and be as highly ranked as you want that does not guarantee you anything,” he said.

“You have to put the performances on the pitch and last time our performances did not warrant us winning the tournament hopefully this time we can produce the performances … and win the tournament.

“I certainly have learnt a lot from those experiences and I like to think the players have as well.”

Australia opens their Asian Cup campaign against India on January 10 at Al Sadd Stadium, with kickoff at 1615 local time (2215 AEDT).

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