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It is a date with destiny for Australia, as they strive for their first piece of silverware in Asia as they face the formidable South Korea in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Final in Sydney. Join The Roar for a detailed pre-match show, live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
When Ange Postecoglou replaced German Holger Osieck in October 2013 as Australia’s new manager, chatter persisted on the extent of the hospital pass being thrown to the man who created the first proper coaching dynasty in the A-League via the Brisbane Roar.
The task involved was to phase in a new group of players to replace the ‘Golden Generation’, provide strong competition at the World Cup, and win the Asian Cup. The real kicker was to accomplish all this in little over 15 months.
Fifteen months have since passed, and we can comfortably tick off two of the dot points. As admirable as Australia was in Brazil last season, the ledger read zero points with a goal difference of minus six. Yet recollections of the likes of Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Luke Wilkshire and Harry Kewell are now in mere passing fondness, while the pipedream that was then Asian Cup glory is now only as little as 90 minutes away.
In their way stand the obdurate South Koreans – in every way an opponent worthy of the occasion. Having beaten the Socceroos in the group stage, and without conceding throughout the tournament, the Taegeuk Warriors will not be deterred at the prospect of upsetting the home nation yet again in front of a fervently yellow Stadium Australia, especially with their own legion of loyal fans by their side in Homebush.
For South Korea coach Uli Stieleke, a tournament–wide clean sheet doesn’t cut the mustard. He’s called on his players to lift further, recognising that what sufficed in Brisbane is hardly to do so in a final, especially in one that effectively amounts as an away fixture.
For the Koreans, the focus will be in midfield, where captain Ki Sung-Yueng is a crucial element to controlling possession against a midfield that has run rampant this tournament. Lee Jung-Hyup followed his goal against Australia with another strike in the semi-final against Iraq, but the more ominous target lies in Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung-min, who is likely to line up against club teammate Robbie Kruse.
In defence, South Korea are well led by the German-based pairing of Park Joo-ho and Kim Jin-su.
They will need to be at their game against a rampant Australian attack that can now safely claim to look beyond Tim Cahill for goals. Against the diminutive South Koreans though, it is the former Evertonian who remains the Socceroos’ biggest threat, and is ably assisted by the creative Kruse and the willing workhorse Matthew Leckie.
In midfield, Postecoglou will likely leave fellow veteran Marco Bresciano on the bench in the event of a tight encounter, with the key decision being whether he opts for Mark Milligan or Matt McKay to line up alongside Massimo Luongo. Captain Mile Jedinak will likely be the team’s defensive anchor.
The Australian back four is likely where any weakness can be exploited. Although only conceding two goals, including one in the earlier group fixture against South Korea, the manner of goals given will be a concern, with set pieces the main Achilles heel.
Questions over Ivan Franjic’s fitness continue, especially as his natural replacement Chris Herd is also unavailable through injury. This may force Postecoglou to either play Aziz Behich as an emergency right back, or change formation to a back three and restore Alex Wilkinson.
The final element of what promises to be an exciting finale is whether the home side can overcome the pressure placed upon them. Despite South Korea having the better run, the expectation is there that Australia should win an Asian Cup on home soil.
Such pressure is what Ange Postecoglou would have craved for back in October 2013. But the memories of Iran 1997 and Uruguay 2001 are never far away from a team desperate to stamp its mark on world football, beginning with Asia.
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