When Australia played South Korea on the 31st of January 2015, there was a buzz around Sydney. It was an excitement that Australia has never had before.
“Could Australia become the Asian champions for the first time?”. “Could they become the first team in the world to be crowned multi-confederation champions?”
“YES!”
At the end of extra-time, Australia were crowned kings of Asia. Kings of Asian football. With a rocky first half in game one, Australia steadied the ship and went on to win the tournament conceding only three goals, scoring fourteen.
However, that was four years ago and a lot has happened since then. Firstly, Australia had a lot of luck come our way in that tournament.
Japan lost their quarter-final match to the UAE (who we eventually beat 2–0 in the Semi-finals), Iran lost there quarter-final match against rivals Iraq on penalties, and, we played South Korea, a team we had experience playing that tournament, and almost beat, just fourteen days earlier.
So while the 2015 tournament could be seen as a fairytale, or lucky, will the 2019 tournament be the same?
Short answer? No!
Because of the expansion, there will be an extra game for the winning team. It also means that lower-ranked teams have qualified, like the Philippines, India and Yemen.
It can be easy to view the group stages as a walkover when looking at Palestine vs. Australia, or Iran vs. Yemen. But, from what we have seen so far, the tournament will have much more eventful matches.
Especially when the third placed team in each group can still qualify for the knockout phase.
What doesn’t help is Australia’s first-team squad. With Aaron Mooy and Daniel Arzani ruled out with injury and Mathew Leckie not playing in the first two matches, Australia appears to be vulnerable.
And that’s exactly what Jordan could’ve hoped for in Australia’s first game for the 2019 campaign as they sat back and defended for majority of the match in the recent 0–1 defeat for the Socceroos.
It could be seen as redemption for Australia’s 5–1 thumping of Jordan in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, but Jordan’s defence showed up when they needed it to and one goal is all it takes for three points.
Salem Al-Ajalin of Jordan celebrates (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
After Palestine’s tough showing against Syria, it would be a rough day for Australia if they were going to crack open there defence.
After a Messi-like cross from Tom Rogic it was 1–0. After goal number two, sixty-odd minutes later, Giannou finished the game with a sublime header to finish the game 3–0.
In a supreme showing against the lions of Canaan, Australia’s next opponents with be the fierce Syrians, who, after two deflating results and a sacked manager, will be looking for three points and a possible second or even third place in Group B.
Suspecting Australia reaches the knockout phase, there chances could be brighter than previously thought. As it sits right now, Group F runners-up, Uzbekistan, would be facing the Socceroos in a Round of 16 tie.
Australia showed Uzbekistan there brunt force, when, eight years ago, in the 2011 tournament, they lost 6–0 in the Semi-final. But under Héctor Cúper, Uzbekistan have appeared to be in professional form. They won 2–1 against Oman and impressing in game two against Turkmenistan.
If a win over the Uzbeks is successful, then a possible game against the host nation is on the cards.
After that, its pure speculation, but, it will not be as easy, or as lucky as the previous tournament. Thats for sure.
Whatever happens in the knockout phase, game three against Syria could decide whether we are cheering or packing our bags, again!
paul
Guest
Good times and bad times hey?
Ryan
Roar Rookie
With Arzani, Mooy, Boyle and Leckie not playing, our chances look very slim. But, Mabil and Ikonomidis have been very good replacements.
con tripodis
Guest
by what we are seeing so far and a coach that admits to be learning as he goes, we will not win this Asian cup that's for sure, because we are inconsistent and not confident
callumgasowski
Roar Rookie
They should I mean, is there an reason why they shouldn't?
Ryan
Roar Rookie
At the time of writing the article, Japan were atop of the group. Plus, my opinion is a Japan win against the Uzbeks. And, if it were a result in favour of Uzbekistan, Japan will beat Australia and at best go to the Final, at worst, go out in the Semi-finals.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Uzbekistan are currently leading their group, not Japan. They only have to draw against Japan to top the group and force us to play Japan in the next round (provided we at least draw against Syria). It'd be back to the future for Arnie, except this time he can't even call it a QF appearance...
BWN
Guest
Show me a tournament winner that hasn't had an element of luck. In the end it's a sport, not a science. Some results are predictable but never guaranteed. In my opinion, Australian players give the wrong impression when they speak to the media. Other teams use those sometimes harmless but naive comments as rocket fuel. Australian players need coaching in how to address media questions. They should always come across as humble and respectful of the opposition & do their talking with their feet. Let some other mug fall into the trap of underestimating the opposition and overestimating themselves. BTW, this team, if they play their guts out and stay smart & focused, can win the Asian Cup. A good team needs to be able to overcome the loss of key players. C'mon Australia! Switch off your mobile phones & play like it means the world to you. It should, you lucky bunch!
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I didn’t think there was much to choose between the two sides on that day although I thought Cha du-ri the right back was outstanding and that was probably a sign that ROK were under a fair bit of pressure. I was really pleased for Tommy Juric that day as he reached the ball on the goal line and cut it back for the winning goal. Whilst he didn’t get the goal, it was a bit of a monkey off his back up in the forward line..... always a struggle up there, nothing changes except TC retiring!
Ryan
Roar Rookie
I agree. However, Japan has always been a tough game for Australia regardless of their form. I also think Iran, had they won against Iraq and played South Korea in the Semi-final, would've tested them like no other team, besides us, of course. There's no doubt Australia had some luck come our way, as did South Korea. I also think, like you, that the best teams played in the final and the best team won. Will that be the case for this tournament? It depends, but I think it's almost certainly going to happen.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Japan were not worthy of a semi final position I saw them live against Palestine, they were good not spectacular. The Socceroos beat UAE quite easily so why would we say we were lucky . Japan went out where they deserved to As for Korea . They were super impressive the 2 times I saw them . I really think the best 2 teams made the final.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
You don't think if it wasn't for the UAE or Iraq, Australia's chances would've been much different?
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Tournaments often show up some strange patterns. It is not uncommon for a team to start off poorly, turn things around and finish with a flurry. Confidence kicks in and never underestimate the combination of confidence, high morale and a strong heart. I don’t think the team is necessarily the strongest in the tournament but if they continue to improve and can score goals there is no reason why they could not at least make the final.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
The best 2 teams made the 2015 final. No luck involved at all.