Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos plan reconnaissance mission at Korea-Republic-Kuwait clash

ANGE Postecoglou is relying on some inside information when Australia’s biggest Group A threat Korea Republic faces Kuwait at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday.

SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou is relying on some inside information from a band of experts when Australia’s biggest Group A threat Korea Republic faces Kuwait at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday.

The trusted sources are usually made up of scouts from the Australian junior national teams, including Tony Vidmar and Paul Okon, who are expected to give Postecoglou detailed accounts of what to expect when the Socceroos face Korea Republic in Brisbane on Saturday.

Australia U20s coach Paul Okon has played a scouting role for the senior side.

Vidmar was spotted watching Korea Republic’s win over Oman 1-0 in Canberra on Saturday.

The Socceroos - who play Oman at the conclusion of Korea Republic’s game - do have an advantage knowing exactly what needs to be done in order to remain at the top of Group A.

But Kuwait boss Nabil Maaloul, nonetheless, believes his side can cause an upset over a side which boasts battle-hardened Bundesliga and English Premier League players.

It would take a mighty Kuwaiti performance to overcome the likes of Son Heung-Min (Leverkusen), Park Jo-Hoo, Koo Ja-Cheol (both Mainz), Kim Jin-Su (Hoffenheim), Ki Sung-Yueng (Swansea) and Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers).

“Of course, the loss (to Australia) was very heavy,’’ Maaloul said.

“But we’ve been trying to concentrate on the positive side.

“The last match had positives and negatives, positives were good, the tactical discipline and the spirit as well.”

Kuwait coach Nabil Maaloul believes his side can bounce back from their first-up loss.

History suggests Kuwait can cause an upset the Socceroos are looking for.

In the past six meetings since 2000 Kuwait has recorded a 1-1 home draw and a 1-0 win in Korea.

Maaloul also declared it was never his intent to play defensively against Australia after Kuwait took a shock 1-0 lead.

“I never asked the players to play the defensive style,’’ Maaloul said.

“In the first game our (opening) goal gave the players’ confidence and we tried to go back (in defence) and score (on the counter attack).

“We (the coaching team) commanded them to always play forward - we would like to win and we wish to win.”

Maaloul says defender Hussain Fadhel is in doubt for the clash after he went off injured in the 57th minute in Melbourne.