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Asian Cup: Victory a fitting jewel in Postecoglou's crown

Ange Postecoglou should definitely be replaced before the World Cup. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Expert
25th January, 2015
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It’s not at all what we expected, but a semi-final clash with the United Arab Emirates is not something to cheer about. The desire to avoid Japan has been bandied about way too much for a country tipped second favourite, and now there is no room for complacency.

While fans and critics have celebrated Samurai Blue’s capitulation against the Emiratis in the quarter-finals, you can be assured that Ange Postecoglou would have just simply switched his training plans for the following days in Newcastle.

The Socceroos’ manager has had to deal with constant criticism during his tenure, which soon turned to feet-licking after two dominant performances against inferior opponents. Continuous calls that Australia had to avoid Japan at all costs was just another thing he had to ignore.

Having called out Ange for getting his line-up wrong against South Korea, I’m still sticking to that viewpoint when considering a victory was the desired result. If he was aiming to win the game, he failed. Simple.

But the loss has panned out well for Australia. All three of the remaining rivals have had to go through gruelling 120-minute matches, and the Socceroos have been able to rotate players without disastrous consequences. Against the UAE, Postecoglou has a full squad to choose from, barring Chris Herd.

Negating Omar Abdulrahman has to be highlighted, and no matter how tempted Ange is to play his own brand of football he can’t ignore his opponent’s greatest threat. Omar is the undisputed player of the tournament so far, and his magical skill set has to be nullified.

Mile Jedinak had a shocking first half against China, and there would have been reasonable grounds to replace him at half time. But he grew into the game in the second stanza, like the rest of his teammates, and you would hope the initial performance was down to rustiness.

Jedi could play a crucial role in keeping tabs on Omar, but he may need extra support, so it will be interesting to see whether Postecoglou reverts back to the 4-2-3-1 that he favoured in his early days.

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If Japan had been our semi-final opponents, a 4-3-3 with a two number eights would have been more likely, but given UAE’s blistering start against Samurai Blue, and Australia’s inability to begin games on top, playing two holders in the first half could be an option.

Mark Milligan is the obvious man to come in, if Postecoglou opted to down that route. A solid opening 15 minutes is essential, with the Socceroos conceding both their goals in this tournament in the first 35.

That’s where the return of Matthew Spiranovic will be essential. His place back alongside Trent Sainsbury, who produced his best performance in green and gold against China, will be key to a good start. Dealing with UAE’s balls in behind the defence to Ali Mabkhout will be no easy task, and Ivan Franjic in particular has to lift his game. Mabkhout is a predatory forward, and his pace and power will punish any slight slips.

The next question, if Postecoglou trumps for two holding midfielders, is who should play the number 10 role. Massimo Luongo has expressed his own surprise at playing so many games in this tournament, which could signal a possible master plan from Postecoglou.

Luongo may have been utilised in the opening games, where the stakes were less high, in order to ease Marco Bresciano into the team. It therefore would not be a surprise to see our veteran number 10 inserted into the starting line-up, with Mass coming off the bench.

Luongo has started every game, and given Postecoglou’s tendency to rotate the squad, perhaps this is the time to give him a slight breather. Bresciano is also a pure number 10, while Luongo plays the majority of his club football with Swindon Town as an eight.

Bresciano was widely lambasted for his performance against China on social media, somewhat unfairly. He looked rusty in the opening 15, no doubt, but like Jedinak grew into the game.

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His set pieces were an upgrade on Luongo, and two of his pin-point deliveries resulted in golden opportunities for Jedinak and Sainsbury. He was easily the Socceroos’ best midfielder up until his departure, with Jedinak flailing and Luongo struggling to get involved.

Starting Bresciano in a 4-2-3-1 would not be a terrible idea, though it will restrict the Socceroos’ high intensity pressing game. And given Luongo’s blistering form in the group stages, you’d be a brave man to drop him now. Postecoglou is used to making the tough calls though, and it will be interesting to see where he goes.

As long as Australia start the game strongly, the quality of this side should shine through. Go behind early on, however, and it will be a massive task for the Socceroos to claw their way back. Some more Tim Cahill magic could be the difference again.

Victory here would put the Socceroos one win away from history, and would give Postecoglou vindication for a philosophy that has always been a long-term strategy. Success would undoubtedly be a huge achievement, given the amount of changes he’s had to make and the amount of pressure he’s been under.

Win or lose Ange, is here to stay, but leading Australia to its first international trophy would be a fitting reward for his revolution.

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