Game over: Korea Republic 1 Australia 0
Australia can only blame themselves here. After a slow opening, Australia had the better of the overall contest and dominated the second half big time. Wasteful finishing by Kruse, Juric and Troisi though stops the Socceroos from securing a much needed win or draw that would have seen them top the group. South Korea scored a scrappy goal to say the least but were dangerous in the second half on the break, especially with Heung-Min on the park. South Korea top the group and travel to Melbourne. Australia stay in Brisbane to take on China. They will start favourites but the Socceroos need to work on their finishing if they hope to lift the Asian Cup.
Korea Republic are yet to truly click at the Asian Cup but could save their best performance for last when they clash against the Socceroos at Brisbane Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEDT.
Australia and South Korea are already through to the knockout stages of the tournament but first spot in the group will be decided tonight in front of an expected crowd of 50,000 fans.
After a worrying start against Kuwait where they conceded a goal inside eight minutes, the Socceroos have since never looked back, scoring eight unanswered goals to storm to the top of group A.
Convincing wins over Kuwait and Oman however were expected. The pressure is still on Ange Postecoglou’s men to make at least the final of the Asian Cup on home soil and a match-up against Korea Republic will provide fans with a good idea of whether or not the Socceroos have what it takes to become Asia’s best football nation.
So far, the signs have been good but South Korea are undefeated themselves and should be expected to turn up with their best form on such a big stage, especially after their coach Uli Stielike declared the Koreans no hope of beating Australia.
In terms of line-ups, Australia’s defence could be set for a reshuffle with Jason Davidson and Aziz Behich competing for the left-back position. Matthew Spiranovic meanwhile could be rested given that he is on a yellow card. With this in mind, Alex Wilkinson could replace him in the starting side.
Upfront, Nathan Burns and Tommy Oar may find themselves starting tonight ahead of Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse. Leckie and Kruse have impressed so far but with the Socceroos needing only a draw to secure first place, Postecoglou may opt to rest two of his more dangerous attacking weapons.
Tim Cahill is another that may start the match on the sidelines after he was dangerously fouled against Oman. If Australia hope to win the Asian Cup, a fit and firing Cahill is a must.
While Australia start favourites, Korea Republic are a definite shot at winning this contest and topping the group, particularly if Bayer Leverkusen star Son Heung-Min is given space to wreck havoc.
Australia’s defence is yet to face a player of Heung-Min’s calibre and it will be interesting to see how they fare against one of the Bundesliga’s best players.
With Heung-Min set for a big game, Korea Republic possess the better craftsman in midfield and that may be enough for them to cause an upset.
Korea Republic to win 2-1
John hislop
Guest
Bleedingly obvious deliberate strike to keepers neck, re card for sure. Cahills antics following the card reveal a lot about his understanding of sportsmanship.( If i can't win fair i'll win by cheating). Soft reffing gave roos advantage in all games to date, but Koreans weren't intimidated by clumsy tackles, leaping into players etc etc.
Pablo
Guest
Wont watch a Socceroos game in the home end in Brisbane again ... the crowd were as boring. Roll on the next game ... happy to join the UZIS and enjoy the game with folk that are willing to stand and sing/
Uncle Junior
Guest
China confirmed top spot with their 2 group wins. When points are equal, the Group is decided on head-to-head and China has beaten both Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.
Charlie
Guest
He is now 4 wins from 15.... 20 goals (8 in the last 2 games) scored by Aus since he became coach...9 of the from Cahill...so he plays Cahill for 30mins....someone please explain this logic?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Juric spooned it over the bar from 6 yards with nothing to beat except the ball bobbled a bit and he caught it high on his boot and it soared over the bar. Kruse had the worst miss. Directly in front and could even have passed it to Cahill. Troisi still had work to do to get the angle right. It was a harder attempt compared to the other two. Thanks to Ryan for a brilliant save towards the end. All is not lost but at the business end of a tournament it's about taking those opportunities.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
China looking like the most likely opponent in the quarter finals. Only a loss to North Korea and a win to the Saudis or Uzbeks would see China lose top spot (and in the case of the Uzbeks, it would depend on the rules of the competition, they might put a priority on results between two teams finishing on the same points, if so, then only the Saudis have a chance of toppling China). So China odds on to finish top.
Catnap
Guest
Juric is mad not to take the money!!!!
jamesb
Guest
Ange was trying to preserve the likes of Leckie, Kruse and Cahill. It is a tournament where to win, you need to play six games in 23 days. At the world cup, Australia were cooked when they played their third game against Spain. Actually, Australia shouldve won tonight. They dominated possession after a slow start, conceded a goal from a momentary lapse in concentration from three defenders. Then they wasted so many chances. The standout wasteful chances were Troisi in the first half, and Juric and Kruse in the second. If you dont convert any of your chances, your not going to win any game of football. Anyway, Australia is still alive. I think we play China next in the QF. If we have to meet Japan in the semis, so be it.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
A pretty good performance by the Socceroos.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Well-played Korea ; good effort from the Socceroos, but the usual inability to finsih has been exposed by the clever South Korean side.
Alan
Roar Guru
Agree Steve. Would have left Burns on the park. Thanks for following Professor.
Michael J.
Guest
A loss might freshen them up, actually. All ahead of them now.
Steve
Guest
Keep in mind this was a Korea not close to their physical peak.
Johnno
Guest
Sack Ange, this one's for the knockers. The coach never can beat any good opposition, I knew the top tier sides in this Asian cup can beat the socceroos.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Some thought Korea was not daunting. China is looking confident.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Bad mistake to start the game without Cahill. Others may be scoring in recent matches, but they build self-confidence from him. Better to get a goal from him in the first 30 minutes than hope he can pull back 2 in the last 15, with the aid of exhausted support, who have lost confidence.
Steve
Guest
Luongo seems to disappear in the second half of games. I would've taken off Juric instead of Burns. Kruse looked good when he came on.
James
Guest
You can say Australia had more and better chances, but finishing chances is part of deserving to win. South Korea scored, Australia didn't. Therefore, South Korea deserved their win. South Korea were denied a penalty that would have seen them go 2-0 up, so if anything the margin could have been greater.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Thanks for the call, Alan!
say what
Guest
Australia vs China?