Can Australia claim its first-ever Asian Cup trophy or will South Korea end its 55-year drought?
Saturday night’s final in Sydney is a juicy encounter on a number of levels. The Socceroos have a chance to make real history on home soil, claiming Australia’s first major piece of silverware in the men’s game.
A win at Stadium Australia in front of 80,000 fans would be a huge boost for the code.
After making the final of the 2011 tournament in Qatar, the hosts can now go one better. And to do that they have to beat a team they lost to in the group stage, a 1-0 defeat in Brisbane, and one with a mean defence that hasn’t conceded a goal in five Asian Cup matches.
South Korea last won this competition in 1960 and endured a difficult 2014 World Cup in Brazil, going down 4-2 to Algeria, 1-0 to Belgium and drawing 1-1 with Russia.
The Socceroos and the Taeguk Warriors have a long history together, going back many decades. Both have enjoyed success under the coaching of Dutchman Guus Hiddink in the past.
The two countries have played each other 28 times with Australia winning 10, South Korea seven and with 11 draws.
The last time they met outside of this Asian Cup was in Seoul in 2013, where the teams drew 0-0, while Australia got the cash in Hwaseong in 2012.
In the last Asian Cup the two sides again drew, this time in the group stage, while South Korea won 3-1 in Seoul in 2009.
A number of Korean players have played in the A-League, such as Song Jin-Hyung at Newcastle and Byun Sung-Hwan at Sydney FC, while Aussies have become common in the K-League. Current Socceroo Alex Wilkinson plays for champions Jeonbuk and Aleksandar Jovanovic is with Jeju United.
Robbie Cornthwaite spent several seasons with Jeonnam and he believes Australia will need to perform a lot better against South Korea than it did in the semi-final with the UAE.
“I think that’s no secret,” he said.
“If we are at our best in front of a big home crowd I think we will be to strong for them. We must take our chances though.”
Cornthwaite nominates Korea’s 34-year old right back Cha Du-ri as a dangerous player.
“Cha Du-ri is older but the fittest player around. He plays for FC Seoul and previously Celtic. His father is one of the biggest legends in Korean sport and he is a huge fan favourite.”
Eddy Bosnar is another Aussie who knows Korean football well. He made 36 appearances with Suwon Bluewings in the 2012-2013 season. The Mariners defender believes it will be tight on Saturday.
“I played against most of the Korean team. It will be a tough game for the Aussies. I think it’s a penalty shootout game.”
The Socceroos will need to keep a close key on Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, Korea’s captain. He is an influential player, the same as forward Son Heung-min. The attacker with Bayer Leverkusen is a skillful individual who’s two goals sunk Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals.
Goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon has also been an inspired form. He thwarterd wave after wave of Australian attacks in Brisbane and has kept five clean sheets, a great record.
The Socceroos have played some great football in this tournament, scoring more goals than any other country. If they can find a way through the Taeguk wall this time, they will surely win. If the Koreans can remain disciplined and keep their shape, they may pull off another smash and grab job.
Saturday bodes to be a great night for football in this country, a worthy final of a fantastic tournament.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Bearfax
Guest
WELL DONE AUSTRALIA. BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AUSTRALIAN SOCCER HISTORY SO FAR
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Thanks AZ_RBB. I know the Matildas won the Asian Cup. I was writing about the men's team. Calm down BES
AZ_RBB
Guest
You clearly didn't go past the first sentence because a couple of lines down we see this: "claiming Australia’s first major piece of silverware in the men’s game." The men's tournament is simply called the Asian Cup. The women's version is called the Women's Asian Cup.
BES
Guest
"Can Australia claim its first-ever Asian Cup trophy.." ...and there it is again. FAIL! Please - if you are going to write a story about Australian football, can you at least please know what you are talking about. This has to be the 1000th slap in the face for the Australian Nationals Womens team that I have seen in the past month. It really is not good enough and our fantastic womens team (far far morely highly ranked and rated than our mens at present) must be wondering what on earth they need to do to be taken seriously. Shame on you - supposed 'Guru'
britesparke
Roar Rookie
I believe they will win but it is going to take a supreme ninety minute effort - no more dismal second half performances. They must score before Korea and then have them play out of their structure so that Cahill and company can score more on the counter. Should be a very good game from two teams that want to win this thing.