Ange's attacking philosophy victory could hinge on defence

While Ange Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy is starting to pay dividends for the Socceroos in the Asian Cup, and proving a lot of detractors wrong, it’s the team’s defensive improvements that have been just as impressive and worthy of praise.

With Australia coming up against South Korea in the final on Saturday, the only team to have defeated them in the tournament, the Socceroos defence could be the crucial difference between victory and disappointment.

While the back line has not been entirely impenetrable or confident so far this year, there has been a marked progression since the start of Postecoglou’s reign, and their understanding has been improving throughout the tournament.

At the forefront of this newfound defensive stability has been the solid partnership forged between Matthew Spiranovic and Trent Sainsbury in central defence.

Spiranovic has long been touted as one of Australia’s finest modern day defenders, elevated in reputation alongside the unfortunate Rhys Williams. His strength and dominance in the air beautifully match his elegance and comfort in kick-starting attacks.

He’s a fantastic ball-playing defender, critical in modern day football, and although he doesn’t boast exceptional pace, the timing of his runs negates that slight deficiency when faced with zippy opponents.

Yet it’s his partner, Sainsbury, who has impressed the most in this Asian Cup. The 23-year-old has truly announced himself on the international stage, and his development since leaving Central Coast Mariners for PEC Zwolle has been outstanding.

While always a promising candidate to cement a first-team place in the Socceroos side, his rapid maturity and progression has been a bit of a surprise.

The Socceroos can finally boast a solid combination in the centre of the defensive third, and one that will potentially stick together for another two World Cup campaigns. It’s an exciting proposition for the national side, and Spiranovic will likely join Sainsbury for a second stint in European football eventually, which can only be a positive.

In goals, Mat Ryan continues to win suitors at home and abroad. Still only 22, extremely young for a goalkeeper, Ryan has the attitude, personality and attributes to rival Mark Schwarzer in years to come.

The Club Brugge number one received some stick for performances in the World Cup, particularly from himself, but he has grown into his role with the Socceroos.

His ability to snuff out attacks when opponents get behind the defence exude hints of Manuel Neuer, and he is clearly gearing towards becoming an exceptional modern day sweeper keeper. Ryan’s distribution has also been largely top quality at the Asian Cup, and he’s a cool customer even under pressure.

With the equally talented and strong personality of Mitch Langerak keeping him sharp, Ryan will only push himself to further levels. The Socceroos are very lucky in the goalkeeping stakes, with Mark Birighitti also set for a promising future, although that’s hardly fresh news.

It’s on the flanks where the Socceroos have always been a bit shaky, ever since the decline of Brett Emerton and Scott Chipperfield. But the improvement of Jason Davidson has been a delight to watch in the 2015 Asian Cup.

The 23-year-old was a clear weak link in defence at the 2014 World Cup, and was at fault for a few lapses in concentration. His attacking attributes have always been a strong point, but he’s now matured in his defensive role and can be confident in holding onto the left back slot for many years.

While he hasn’t been playing for new employers West Bromwich Albion since bailing on Dutch outfit Heracles Almelo, which put his spot in the Asian Cup squad under threat, it appears that simply training with the Premier League club has improved his positioning and awareness.

He is no longer a liability, and instead his forays forward are confidently backed up with resolute defending. Davidson still has room for improvement, especially to reach the same levels of Spiranovic and Sainsbury, but he’s showing signs that he’ll achieve similar heights.

The right back slot in defence is still a worry, however. Neither Chris Herd, when fit, or Ivan Franjic have shown they are comfortable playing at the highest level, while Josh Brillante is more comfortable in midfield. There’ll be further opportunities for Herd, and he deserves another chance, but Franjic hasn’t impressed at the Asian Cup.

It shocks me to say this, but at times I’ve been wondering whether Luke Wilkshire, who has been a regular with Feyernoord this season, should have been included. Based on 2013-14 and age he shouldn’t be anywhere near the national side, but you don’t play first-team football for Feyenoord if you’re a mug.

Then again, Postecoglou’s job was rejuvenation, and cutting the old guard is a move that has paid off and has been widely lauded. Shifting Wilkshire was a big step in getting rid of the driftwood. You do just wonder if his rejection has fired him up, however.

Franjic could well be the new Davidson, give him time and he may grow into the role. But a change of coach at Torpedo Moscow means he’ll likely have to move back to the A-League for playing time.

What the Socceroos would give to have former Melbourne Victory gun Adama Traore, albeit with a left foot, joining the back four on the right hand side. The fact that he was denied the opportunity to play for Australia is a travesty, and makes a joke of FIFA’s rules given Diego Costa seamlessly swapped Brazil for Spain.

Franjic did put in his best defensive shift against UAE, however, but he needs to be on top of his game against South Korea as well. Having played every minute of the Asian Cup, fitness could be an issue, and he reportedly picked up a groin problem late in the semi-final.

But hopefully he can put in one more lung-busting 90-minute performance for the Socceroos. It’s important the team keep the same back four intact to give them the best chance to attain a clean sheet.

There has been talk that if Franjic is ruled out then Sainsbury could move across to right back, with Alex Wilkinson replacing him in the centre. That would be folly, and keeping Sainsbury together with Spiranovic is essential for the final. It would make more sense to push either Mark Milligan or Matt McKay back, though the latter had such a stellar impact as a substitute against UAE in midfield that Posteccoglou could be more inclined to plump for the Victory enforcer.

Either way, it’s important the Socceroos keep their defensive structure and continue to improve. The most impressive aspect of the side’s defensive effort in the semi-final was the apparent understanding the back four have developed.

They moved together in a straight line, something that has been their downfall too often under Postecoglou, where the fullbacks in particular were lazy in their positioning. The defence’s efficiency can be partly seen in the amount of time Ali Mabkhout was called offside, though that was also down to over-exuberance from the Emirati flyer.

Another positive sign was that when one of our defenders made a slight blunder, there was always a teammate on task to clean up. When Omar Abdulrahman skipped past three or four players and tried to feed a teammate in the box, Franjic was there to make a goal-saving tackle and touch the ball out for a corner.

Similarly, Sainsbury, as well as Spiranovic, often cleaned up in one-on-one challenges when the last man in defence, something the national team has often missed.

The defensive effort against UAE wasn’t all roses, and there are still lessons to be learnt. Mabkhout was tearing through on goal only to be pulled back for an incorrect offside call, and Ahmed Khalil wasn’t far away from a tap-in after Mabkhout had burned Davidson for pace down the right.

Then there was Khalil’s vicious strike that just flew past the corner of Ryan’s net early in the second half, as well as his effort that hit the post shortly after Sainsbury’s opener.

And one facet Australia still needs to work on is defending from short throw-ins. The goal against South Korea was from a simple short restart, where the Socceroos defence was caught sleeping. It could have been a similar situation against China, when the left side of defence allowed Zhang Chengdong to cut back into the six-yard box following a neat short throw-in.

Concentration is the main aspect Postecoglou will have been drilling into his defence since the beginning of the tournament, and a 90-minute performance would give the Socceroos a huge chance of victory. While the team is more intent on attack, keeping a clean sheet will give Australia’s vibrant and fluid frontline a better grounding to find a winner.

We constantly praise the goalscorers in football, and forget those doing the thankless jobs. The Socceroos defence deserves their time in the spotlight too – after all two goals conceded in five games is quite impressive. In what is sure to be a very tight final, a strong defence could be what wins the attack-minded Postecoglou an Asian Cup title.