‘Perfect time’: Asian Cup glory beckons Socceroos
The only way is up for the Socceroos after an opening Asian Cup win for a squad better placed than ever to win the whole thing.
The only way is up for the Socceroos after an opening Asian Cup win for a squad better placed than ever to win the whole thing.
The Socceroos were made to work for it in their Asian Cup opener by a gritty Indian side. Find out how all the players fared.
The Socceroos struggled to unlock a stubborn Indian defence. It could be an issue that haunts Graham Arnold’s men throughout the Asian Cup, writes ROBBIE SLATER.
Graham Arnold will demand improvement from his Socceroos after a winning, but too often sluggish, start to their Asian Cup campaign.
Awer Mabil’s personal tragedy adds cripplingly sharp perspective to Australia’s Asian Cup defence. Particularly since the striker provided many of the high points of an overall underwhelming campaign.
The Socceroos are out of the Asian Cup after a horror mistake by Milos Degenek against the UAE ended the team’s campaign.
The Socceroos’ Asian Cup defence is over, snuffed out by one dreadful error that sent Graham Arnold’s men to a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to the United Arab Emirates.
Coach Graham Arnold has lamented the cruel nature of the Socceroos’ Asian Cup exit but pleaded for patience as the national team fine-tunes a new style of play.
A self-described over-thinker, Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has been to the bottom and back to overcome self-doubt and master the pressure of the notoriously unforgiving Premier League.
The politics surrounding Hakeem al-Araibi’s detention has been underlined at the Asian Cup after Socceroos forward Mathew Leckie was blocked from answering a question about the Australian-based refugee.
One of Australia’s most experienced forwards is shaping as one of five potential changes for Saturday morning’s (EDT) Asian Cup semi-final push – and coach Graham Arnold is delighted.
Socceroos captain Mark Milligan is eager to utilise conditions less susceptible to a ‘game of basketball’ against the United Arab Emirates in the hunt for an Asian Cup semi-final spot.
He sealed his comeback with the decisive spot-kick, and Mathew Leckie could not be more glad to be back on the park after a frustrating period where his Asian Cup participation was in massive doubt.
The Socceroos will be without Tom Rogic, the key to their attack, for their Asian Cup quarter-final against UAE. But coach Graham Arnold has plenty of faith in any potential replacements.
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