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Asian Cup 2015: Complacency not a factor for Socceroos

26th January, 2015
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Mathew Leckie struggled once again in his defensive duties as a wing-back. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Expert
26th January, 2015
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It was difficult not to ponder what might have been as South Korea overcame Iraq at ANZ Stadium yesterday. It was meant to be the Socceroos, playing in front of a packed and vocal Sydney crowd, on Australia Day, for a spot in the Asian Cup final.

Among the pockets of South Koreans and Iraqis was a larger contingent of fans who had planned for the most romantic of clashes pre-tournament; something the Asian Cup organisers had also undoubtedly accommodated for.

The 36,000-strong crowd did their best to atone for the changed circumstances.

But if the external pressures and the favourites tag haunting the Socceroos prompted any sort of complacency within camp, it was well eradicated with defeat to South Korea.

The minor scares against Oman and Kuwait were enough of a signal and the response to the South Korea defeat – a comprehensive 2-0 win over China – laid to rest concerns that the Aussies are already, mentally at least, on the pitch for the Asian Cup final.

While the bookies have the United Arab Emirates as long odds to put up a fight, their potential won’t be underestimated. As Postecoglou said, “While it’s easy to write a script at the start of the tournament about who the best teams are, the best teams are the ones that make the final ad the best team is the one that wins it, and that’s yet to be written.”

It’s a simple equation: turn up unprepared and be punished.

Any hype surrounding the UAE has been sparked by one man – Omar Abdulrahman. The 23-year-old has been one of the most impressive players of the tournament, doing his reputation justice.

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But Abdulrahman is often excessively targeted to his opposition’s peril. Striker Ali Mabkhout has looked in fine touch thus far, bagging three goals during the group stage, while Amer Abdulrahman has proved a brick wall in a holding role, his distribution often sparking his side’s attacks.

Being hosts offers no guarantees. But it does provide an advantage that the Socceroos must relish.

As Maty Ryan said, “Yeah, a massive game. One of the biggest in my career. It’s never going to happen again in my lifetime for an Asian Cup to be hosted here in Australia.

“It’s been the talk from day one with such a massive tournament here at home and so far we’ve taken advantage of the home support. We’ll be looking for that to continue on Tuesday night.

“We’re not taking a backward step or taking our mind off the job yet. We’re just getting the preparations done for the game and hopefully give Australia another win.”

Most Socceroos players will admit to breathing a sigh of relief after Japan were knocked out. But knowing how difficult the reigning champions are to beat will provide enough motivation to not relent against a UAE side with nothing to lose.

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