The Socceroos are finally back on home soil and the pressure is on for them to win their first Asian Cup.
Can they do it? That’s the $64 million question. Australia remains a team in transition, one that has been broken down and remodeled by Ange Postecoglou’s design.
Since Postecoglou took over he has got rid of the deadwood, blooded a large amount of rookie players and attempted to fast-track the regeneration of the Socceroos.
There’s been some successes, including the first half against Ecuador in London, the first half against Japan in Japan and comebacks against Chile and the Netherlands, but we are yet to see a dominant 90-minute performance.
A new defence has been constructed and the boss has tried to get as much experience into his charges as quickly as possible. Growing pains were evident at the World Cup, when the Socceroos were handed a nightmare draw, and expectations were low.
But they have risen considerably for Asia’s showpiece. Nothing less than spot in the final, like they achieved in Qatar in 2011, is warranted.
Injury has ruled out a few players for the Asian Cup, such as Tom Rogic, Rhys Williams and Josh Kennedy, but Australia can welcome back Robbie Kruse and Trent Sainsbury who were unavailable in Brazil. Kruse in particular could be a key contributor in this tournament if on song.
Flying the flag for the golden generation are veterans Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano, and it won’t surprise to see both start against Kuwait. Both still possess the skill and finesse to make an impact, though Postecoglou must use them wisely.
A-League forwards Tomi Juric and Nathan Burns are battling it out for a spot in attack, with Burns in sensational form, while on the wings Mathew Leckie, Kruse and Tommy Oar are the options.
Captain Mile Jedinak and Melbourne Victory midfielder Mark Milligan are likely to anchor the side in the middle, with Aziz Behich on the left of defence and Ivan Franjic on the right.
Unlike at the World Cup, Postecoglou has more depth to choose from this time round. Two out of Matt Spiranovic, Sainsbury and Alex Wilkinson will partner in central defence, while Premier League players Jason Davidson and Chris Herd are other options on the flanks.
James Troisi is pushing for the number 10 role while Terry Antonis, Massimo Luongo and Matt McKay are also in contention for midfield spots.
In goals will be Mat Ryan, fresh from a stellar Europa League and Belgian Pro League campaign. Ryan learned a lot from his time in Brazil and has taken his game to a new level of late.
I spoke to the 22-year-old goalkeeper this week and he said the Socceroos’ preparations in Melbourne had been excellent.
“Everything is going really good. Everyone is finally in and we are working hard. The boys have just been doing a bit of conditioning, doing drills etc. that will reflect the way we want to play and it’s all at a high intensity,” he said.
“Everyone’s really excited. The chance to play a major tournament on home soil. The mood is upbeat and everyone is working hard.”
Most of the work the Australian team has done has been about reinforcing how they want to play against the opposition.
“The coaching staff has made a couple of little changes in certain drills focusing on playing in tight areas and passing between lines. But nothing really we haven’t done before,” Ryan said.
Positive, proactive, possession-based football is Postecoglou’s mantra. Taking the initiative from their opponents and attacking them. Neat passing, overlapping fullbacks and a fluid front third.
Kuwait, Oman and South Korea will present vastly different challenges than the green and gold faced at the World Cup or in friendlies against Belgium and Croatia. Kuwait and Oman may tend to sit back, soak up pressure and try and catch the Socceroos on the break.
The Koreans may dominate possession and take the game straight to the home team. They have enough technically proficient players to trouble Australia. How the four teams in Group A line up and the tactics they each employ will be fascinating.
The Socceroos need to get off to a fast start in the Asian Cup and wins against Kuwait and Oman first up are a must. Positive results and good performances are essential in the first two games if they want to top their group.
The final group game against South Korea, certainly a tricky encounter, will be vital if an easier passage to the next stage is to be secured. Recent matches against the Taegeuk Warriors over the years have been close affairs.
Win Group A and a meeting with China, Saudi Arabia or Uzebekistan would be next, and then possibly Iran, Iraq or Qatar. Finish second and it gets a lot tougher, with a semi-final against our arch-rivals Japan looming.
The Socceroos are finally on Australian soil again after many, many matches abroad. The hope is that being on home soil in familiar conditions will help lift them to great heights.
The Asian Cup certainly presents the Socceroos with a very rare opportunity, the chance to claim silverware at a major tournament Australia is hosting. The flow on affect for the local game, the A-League included, could be huge.
Is Ange’s armada ready to make history? Let’s hope so.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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