Postecoglou watching every rival's moves

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has got eyes and ears on the ground everywhere to monitor Australia’s Asian Cup rivals.

Just over three months remain before Australia kick off their Asian Cup campaign, with expectations high for the home team.

The Socceroos will play three crucial warm-up games ahead of the January tournament, facing the United Arab Emirates and Qatar this month before taking on Japan in November.

But for Postecoglou, preparations began a long time ago.

“Even pre World Cup we’ve scouted every Asian team in Brazil. We’ve got people on the ground everywhere,” he said ahead of a function to celebrate 100 days to go until the Asian Cup.

“There won’t be anything any Asian team has done over the last six months, whether they’re in our group or not, that we won’t be aware of.

“We won’t be short on preparation and making sure our players have every bit of information they need.”

The Socceroos play the tournament opener against Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9, with group games against Oman and South Korea to follow.

Postecoglou acknowledges the Koreans will be difficult opponents but says everything rides on Australia’s performance in their opening clash.

“We’re getting some pretty good intelligence on how we think Korea are going to play,” he said.

“They are going to be a big hurdle for us but with every major tournament the one you focus on is your first game.

“Usually if you win that first game it sets you up for the tournament.

“We’ll get to see Korea play in their first two games before we face them so I’m not sure they’ll be our major obstacle to get out of our group. That first game will be the key one for us.”

Injuries have cruelled the Socceroos’ back line with Postecoglou eager to settle on a solid defence ahead of the Asian Cup.

Matthew Spiranovic is set to be back playing in a few weeks after ankle surgery but fellow centre-backs Rhys Williams and Curtis Good will be racing the clock.

Western Sydney’s Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Aziz Behich were named in the squad for this month’s two friendlies in the Middle East to create depth in defence while right-back Ivan Franjic will also make his comeback from a knee injury.

With an estimated audience of 800 million across Asia the Asian Cup is one of the biggest event in the region but Postecoglou conceded it’s not quite on the Australian public’s radar.

He says the timing of Western Sydney’s impressive run in the Asian Champions League is just right to expose Australians to the quality of Asian football.

“I think what the Wanderers have done does raise the consciousness about us needing to be competitive in Asia,” he said.