Australia’s Asian Cup preparations hit full swing in the Middle East, as the Socceroos face the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning.
Having only met once before, these two nations will learn much about how far their Asian Cup aspirations can be realised in little over four months.
For the hosts, simply progressing past the group stage for the first time since 1996 is paramount. But for the Socceroos, targets are loftier.
Australia may have broken their winless streak against Saudi Arabia last month, yet few were left convinced this is a team yet capable of topping their confederation in January. There is no room for complacency against the UAE either – Australia sit 11 places below in the FIFA rankings to their Middle Eastern opposition.
Ange Postecoglou’s task remains in trying to harness his team to control a match for 90 minutes – a team that combines composed defence, slick midfield passing movement and pressing, and poaching instincts in front of goals coming into uniform transience.
The problem though is in all three departments. While Australia gained many sympathised plaudits during the World Cup, the fact remains that a loose approach to defence, failure to retain the ball and lack of proficiency in front of goal makes the Socceroos a target for football master and minnow alike.
Postecoglou will look to rotate his squad of 23 for the next two games against the UAE and Qatar. One player though that should see 180 minutes of football is goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who dearly requires adequate time in goal to form the necessary combinations with his defence.
The return of Ivan Franjic from injury means Postecoglou can turn back to his former Brisbane Roar left back for the first time since his injury against Chile during the World Cup.
On the other fullback role, Jason Davidson still remains Postecoglou’s best option, despite his limited game time at West Bromwich Albion and the emergence of on-loan Liverpool left back Brad Smith. The continued absence of Matt Spiranovic means that Australia will persist with the developing combination of Alex Wilkinson and Trent Sainsbury in ce4ntral defence.
Midfield is a tougher headache to deal with. Aside from the bright club form of captain Mile Jedinak, Postecoglou will weigh up the claims of Massimo Luongo in a creative role ahead of the ageing Marco Bresciano. Also missing is Tommy Oar, whose place is likely to be taken by Josh Brillante.
As has been the case since 2006, Australia’s options in front of goal lies largely with Tim Cahill. While Matthew Leckie has proven industrious in his time in the green and gold, the return of Robbie Kruse should provide healthy support for the team to capitalise on any chances.
While battling the Abu Dhabi heat is one thing, the other remains the virtual unknown that is the United Arab Emirates. Little can be gleaned about the Emiratis, however three consecutive stalemates against the likes of Norway, Lithuania and Paraguay demonstrate the home side will be a difficult test for the Socceroos to break down.
The UAE will field a young team, with forward Ismail Matar the oldest at 29. The team is all locally based, with exception to defender Hamdan Al Kamali, who plies his trade at Maltese club Valletta. While goals have proven difficult to obtain, their strong defensive records against the aforementioned recent opposition show that Australia will need their clinical efficiency to kick in to win this game.
Expect a tough battle in midfield, with the oppressive conditions and an obdurate opponent proving a stern, but winnable test for the Socceroos.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
