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Confederation:
AFC
Star Players:
Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer
Best World Cup Finish:
Second Round (2006)
Current FIFA Ranking:
20
Strengths:
Strong back line
Weaknesses:
Finding the net
Fans:
Socceroos growing in number
One of the heavyweights of Asian football despite a very recent introduction to the continent, Australia boast a core of established European stars. Battle hardened is probably the best way to describe players of the ilk of Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill, nearing the end of their careers but boasting invaluable experience and consistency.
They lead the country into only their second Asian Cup with the hope of scoring a major international trophy before their respective careers end.
How They Qualified
Made hard work of a group that included Kuwait, Indonesia and Oman when their campaign got off to an awful start with a 1-0 defeat at home to the Kuwaitis in Canberra. Admittedly it was an A-League-based side that suffered the result, European stars returning to duty in the back-to-back double header with Oman, against whom they inspired consecutive victories. Kuwait proved something of a banana peel during qualifying, holding the fancied Australians to a 2-2 draw in their penultimate group game before the Socceroos finished off their campaign with a 1-0 home win over Indonesia to secure top spot.
Coach & Tactics
German manager Holger Osieck hasn’t had a great deal of time to impose a particular playing style on the side after succeeding Pim Verbeek following the 2010 World Cup. If the recent string of friendly matches against the likes of Paraguay, Egypt, Poland and Switzerland are anything to go by then it’ll be more of the same rigid and conservative football that characterized the Dutchman’s reign – for the moment at least. Osieck is unlikely to make any huge changes in the way of system or shape with the tournament only just around the corner; a tournament that will be an early litmus test for the former Urawa Red Diamonds coach.
Star Player
Tim Cahill is the man the Aussies will look to for important goals throughout the tournament. His ability to finish from the most unattractive of scenarios – goal mouth scrambles and the like – is an invaluable asset to a team that doesn’t really have another regular goal-scoring alternative.
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer seems to get better with age and is impassable between the posts when he is at his best, while full back Luke Wilkshire makes unheralded but crucial contributions in a defensive and offensive capacity.
Fans’ Expectations
A semi final berth and most should be happy, though as a sporting nation Australians love winning teams and will see the Asian Cup as a tournament that is within their grasp. Having said that, the failure at the 2007 version of the tournament was a reality check and will curtail expectations this time around.
Goal.com Prediction
Should get out of a group that contains South Korea, India and Bahrain, with six points expected out of the latter duo. The second match against Korea will really set the tone for the campaign; a convincing performance and a victory will see momentum build en route to the knockout stages. Ultimately though, the key players are largely past their best and goal scoring is a real option, with Cahill pivotal. A lack of pace in central defence could also be their undoing. Will probably exit at the quarter finals.
They lead the country into only their second Asian Cup with the hope of scoring a major international trophy before their respective careers end.
How They Qualified
Made hard work of a group that included Kuwait, Indonesia and Oman when their campaign got off to an awful start with a 1-0 defeat at home to the Kuwaitis in Canberra. Admittedly it was an A-League-based side that suffered the result, European stars returning to duty in the back-to-back double header with Oman, against whom they inspired consecutive victories. Kuwait proved something of a banana peel during qualifying, holding the fancied Australians to a 2-2 draw in their penultimate group game before the Socceroos finished off their campaign with a 1-0 home win over Indonesia to secure top spot.
Coach & Tactics
German manager Holger Osieck hasn’t had a great deal of time to impose a particular playing style on the side after succeeding Pim Verbeek following the 2010 World Cup. If the recent string of friendly matches against the likes of Paraguay, Egypt, Poland and Switzerland are anything to go by then it’ll be more of the same rigid and conservative football that characterized the Dutchman’s reign – for the moment at least. Osieck is unlikely to make any huge changes in the way of system or shape with the tournament only just around the corner; a tournament that will be an early litmus test for the former Urawa Red Diamonds coach.
Star Player
Tim Cahill is the man the Aussies will look to for important goals throughout the tournament. His ability to finish from the most unattractive of scenarios – goal mouth scrambles and the like – is an invaluable asset to a team that doesn’t really have another regular goal-scoring alternative.Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer seems to get better with age and is impassable between the posts when he is at his best, while full back Luke Wilkshire makes unheralded but crucial contributions in a defensive and offensive capacity.
Fans’ Expectations
A semi final berth and most should be happy, though as a sporting nation Australians love winning teams and will see the Asian Cup as a tournament that is within their grasp. Having said that, the failure at the 2007 version of the tournament was a reality check and will curtail expectations this time around.
Goal.com Prediction
Should get out of a group that contains South Korea, India and Bahrain, with six points expected out of the latter duo. The second match against Korea will really set the tone for the campaign; a convincing performance and a victory will see momentum build en route to the knockout stages. Ultimately though, the key players are largely past their best and goal scoring is a real option, with Cahill pivotal. A lack of pace in central defence could also be their undoing. Will probably exit at the quarter finals.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Joshua Blake Kennedy
Striker Australia |
4 | 0 |
|
Brett Holman
Midfielder Australia |
4 | 0 |
|
Luke Wilkshire
Defender Australia |
1 | 1 |
|
Tim Cahill
Midfielder Australia |
1 | 0 |
|
Mile Jedinak
Midfielder Australia |
1 | 0 |
