Robbie Slater previews the Socceroos’ Asian Cup defence
Robbie Slater looks at the key questions facing the Socceroos as they prepare to defend their Asian Cup title.
Robbie Slater looks at the key questions facing the Socceroos as they prepare to defend their Asian Cup title.
WHERE DO THE GOALS COME FROM?
Replacing Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill is the major problem and we don’t currently have any one player who is an outstanding specialist striker. Incumbent No.9 Tomi Juric didn’t even make the squad. Graham Arnold is aiming to spread the goals by selecting eight attacking players across those front positions and playing with three No.9s. I can’t see any of the Socceroos challenging for golden boot.
I’m not saying it’s impossible, but in reality we’re looking at goals from all over the park. And that’s not a bad thing. Robbie Kruse must improve on this front – he has five goals from 69 caps. Tom Rogic, Massimo Luongo, Jamie Maclaren, Andrew Nabbout, Martin Boyle and Jackson Irvine are all capable of scoring. And, of course, we need a new penalty-taker in the absence of Jedinak. New captain Mark Milligan may be that person, though Arnold might mix it up during the group stage.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
We’re likely find ourselves on a quarter-final collision course with Japan. If Australia finish top of Group B as we’re expected to, and Japan top Group F, both will face less-successful opponents in the round of 16, where a win would pit the Socceroos against perennial rivals the Samurai Blue.
So the question must be asked, is it preferable to finish second in our group? That would put us on course to play the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals, on the easier side of the draw. But, of course, Australia will do everything possible to win every game, so if we’re at our best that could end up being our downfall.
WE’LL BE PLAYING HANDICAPPED
Injuries have hurt us, and two of our biggest stars in Aaron Mooy and Daniel Arzani will miss the tournament. Then throw in that Mat Leckie is no guarantee and it’s a big blow. Furthermore, our win ration in the Middle East is very poor. Historically we haven’t done well there, lost a lot of crucial games, and a tournament being played in the UAE favours those countries. The weather, at least, won’t be a problem because it’s winter.
BUT WE DO HAVE STRENGTHS
Physicality continues to be one of our strong points. A lot of teams over the past decade have tried to get us to lose and we don’t go easily. And while there’s no doubt we have lost major players, that fact forces others to step up and fill the hole. We’ve got players who are genuinely hungry for a chance, you can see it in the eyes of the likes of Martin Boyle. At 25, this is a massive opportunity midway through his career.
On top of that, let’s not forget Massimo Luongo, the player of the tournament in 2015. He didn’t get a minute at the last two World Cups and he’s got something to prove on the big stage.
WHO’S THE FAVOURITE?
It’s difficult to go past Iran and South Korea. Iran really was the best-performing Asian team at the World Cup and were unlucky not to make the round of 16. They were undefeated in 18 qualifying games and conceded just five goals in the process, and are well-balanced up front. This team is at the end of their cycle and primed to win this tournament.
Likewise, South Korea will be tough to beat and have stated they want to win the tournament. Japan, on the other hand, use the Asian Cup as a stepping stone in their World Cup cycle. Of course, they boast a fantastic side, but with the retirements of stalwarts including Keisuke Honda and the omission of other high-profile names including Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki, Japan will field a very young side. World Cup fortunes tell the story of where the Socceroos sit in the food chain. We dragged the chain at Asia’s best-ever campaign in Russia, where Australia was the only one of the continent’s big four not to win a game. Compare that to Brazil, where no Asian nation won a match.
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