It’s by far the biggest game in the group stages of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the result will go a long way to determining the hopes of both nations.
Australia vs Korea Republic wouldn’t look out of place as a final, and it could very well end that way if results fall the right way.
The mind games started as soon as the final whistle blew in their respective first matches.
Australia, through Lucas Neill, was quick to assume the underdog status – a position it thrives in.
Korea Republic, on the other hand, were what Australia had been accused of in 2007 – brash, arrogant and full of bravado. Their coach, Cho Kwang-Rae, said he was confident his side could defeat Australia and planned to target what he saw as a weakness in the Australian side – their slow central defensive pairing of Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski.
“When it comes to the mobility of the players, our strikers are bit better than the Australian central defence,” Cho said.
“(When) I was in charge of Gyeongnam, I intentionally put fast forwards in to make it difficult for Sasa.
“In these games I learnt Sasa had problems with quick forwards and I could make use of it.”
It was a stinging comment given that Ognenovski was last year crowned AFC Player of the Year after a standout season as captain of AFC Champions League winners Seongnam.
Australia has considered Ognenovski’s knowledge one of it’s greatest strengths going into it’s clash with the Koreans. But conversely, is the Korean’s knowledge of Ognenovski also a strength for them?
The battle between Koo Ja-Cheol, Korea’s two goal hero in the first game, and Ognenovski will be enthralling and could go some way to deciding the outcome of the game.
If Ognenovski’s pace, or lack thereof, is considered a weakness by Cho, then one can only imagine what he thinks of Australia’s left-hand side.
David Carney, admittedly a more natural left-midfielder, has struggled for Australia in recent times, no doubt due to his lack of game time for Blackpool, and looked well off the pace for Australia against India.
He will come under attack from Cha Du-Ri, Korea’s right back who loves to get forward and help out his attack. It’s an area that Australia will need to tighten up considerably if they are to prevent attack after attack coming down the right.
Equally as fascinating as the battle on the pitch, will be the battle off it.
Despite claims by Lucas Neill that the winner of this game will top the group, it’s not quite that simple. In fact, amazingly, Australia could win the game and still not finish in the top two.
The presence of whipping boys India makes the group wide open given that it is effectively a guaranteed three points for Australia, Korea and Bahrain.
If Australia is to beat Korea 1-0, but lose to Bahrain in the final game, it needs to hope that Bahrain and Korea don’t give a hiding to India as goal difference will then come into the equation.
If Bahrain and Korea both score 5 or 6 against India, a distinct possibility, an Australian loss to Bahrain would mean they would finish third on goal difference.
It’s a scenario that will have many scratching their head if it eventuates.
But before then, there is the small matter of Australia vs Korea Republic to contend with, and as the first six days of this AFC Asian Cup have shown, anything can happen.
Bring it on.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
It's all a matter of what's important to you: a) vicarious pleasure from having others watching the game with you; or b) pleasure b/c you are watching a match that has meaning for your National Team. Give me 15,000 at KOR v Aus than 60k at the MCG watching a meaningless 20/20 cricket match b/w AUS v ENG. I'll watch Man Utd v Spurs on my own on Monday morning but my emotional involvement in the game is no different to watching in the stands at White Hart Lane with 36k supporters. All that matters is the Beautiful Game - everything else is incidental and of no consequence.
Tortion
Guest
15,000 isn't much for such a big important event.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
15,000 odd with a big Korean contingent and a number of Gulf Arabs that were hoping that we'd lose so Bahrain stand a better chance of progressing. Only a few hundred Aussie supporters and quite a few neutrals who figured it would be a good game to watch.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Why not go for a 3-4-3 formation - similar to what we used very effectively in 2006WC? -----------------Schwarzer-------------- --Emerton---------Neil---------Spiranovic-------- --------------Valeri---------Jedinak------------------ --Mckay-------------------------------------Holman--- ----------------------------Cahill-------------------------- --McDonald/Burns/Kruse---------------Kewell--------- 1. Ognenovski picked up a yellow card against Sth Korea and there is a huge risk he picks up another one and misses the knock-out stage. Same with Emerton & Timmy, but we can't afford to rest them. Those on 1 yellow card will be cleared after the Preliminary (Group) Stage. 2. I'd rather see Kilkenny instead of Jedinak ...but, it's pretty tough to drop a player when he's scored an important goal in the previous game
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I'm only just catching up with the injuries. If the full back situation seemed pretty lean from the start, it is now looking absolutely dire. Do we have any other wide mids who can be turned into full backs at a moment's notice? (I don't think so) We might have to opt for a 3-6-1 afterall. One advantage of the 3-6-1 is that not only can you almost do away with the need for FB/WBs, but you absolutel pack the midfield to buggery, and that ain't a bad ploy against the likes Sth Korea and Japan whose midfields are much classier than ours.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I'm embarassed to say that I fell asleep around the 76th, and woke up immeditely after the final whistle. To my mind, Sth Korea remains the benchmark, for how long can we expect that harry will win balls in the air? But I'm glad you enjoyed the running commentary - the response to date has been overwhelming.
Tortion
Guest
What was with the crowd?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Strange how the updates from MLF dried up as soon as Australia got back on level terms! Poor chap, he must be distraught ... and, Jedinak of all people gets the equaliser - gotta laugh! :-) Fantastic result from the lads. Sth Korea had a couple of decent chances; we had a couple of decent chances. Refereeing was fine. And, my man 'ARRY with an "H" was back to his best - tormenting the Sth Korean defenders, whose only option was to kick Harry in the ankles. When we move the ball quickly, we look fantastic. Still very sloppy with our passing. And, to be honest, I was totally unimpressed by Sth Korea. I expected wave after wave of quick attacks. Sure, they played lots of nice triangle passes and their touch is silky but, the final ball was generally rubbish, and I recall Schwarzer only had to make one save - albeit a brilliant save! So, yet again, our lads produce a result - it's now 17 games for only 2 losses - once against the Champions of Africa and the other against the runners up in the European Championships!
dasilva
Guest
I thought it was a really absorbing and entertaining match and 1-1 is a good result. Really both sides should be fairly satisfied with the result here as both sides are set for the quarter finals However we have 3 key players injured and according to Osieck they look to be fairly serious and we look to have no cover at left back Carney is injured. Wilkshire was the most likely replacement for left back for Australia and he is gone as well. Culina can play as a full back and he is injured . It's pretty unlucky that we have three potential full backs get injured in a match What are the options? We can have Jade North come in to fill the left back spot although I'm not entirely convince about him Emerton could play left back and then bring Lucas Neill to play right back (or Neill and left back and Emerton at the right) and then pick Spiranovich or McKain to come in,. However this would be breaking up a reasonable central pairing in Neill and Ogre so that has it's own issues So the full back candidates are Emerton Neill North Two of them has to be picked to play as left back and right back.
Walt
Guest
The lack of an attacking mid and any sort of creativity really, really limits us.... Getting beaten so often in the air is a bit ordinary too. How many yellows tonight? Think I counted about 6?
Roarchild
Roar Guru
Full time 1 all. Great result means Bahrain have to win to go through. Goal difference against India won't mean anything. Big concern is full backs for Australia. Holger only took two specialits and the both left the field injured :(
Rellum
Roar Guru
The lack of an attacking mid and any sort of creativity really, really limits us. Frustrates me no end, and the that we never play with one touch passing. Our players seem to always need to take a touch.
Rob McLean
Guest
Whoever wrote the headline for this piece was spot on: epic. Great save by Schwarzer.
Rob McLean
Guest
Kewell is playing a good game tonight.
Rob McLean
Guest
Gee we've given the ball away cheaply tonight
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
North on for Wilkshire.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
67 min 1-1 Wilkshire receiving treatment. Ja Cheol has come off, interesting move my Sth Korean manager
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
62 min 1-1 Aust scored from a corner, put back into the mixer, Jedi got head to it, keeper came out and was miles from it, trickled into the empty net - we can always count on pathetic goal keeping at the Asian Cup!
SideShowBob
Roar Rookie
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
56 min 1-0 Harry just put in a shot from tight angle, perhaps Aust getting back into the game