Australia

Asian Cup 2011 Teams: Australia

Road to Qatar


Australia Copyright © Soccerphile	Australia Copyright © Soccerphile

Despite only switching to the Asian confederation in 2005, Australia are viewed as regional heavyweights on the basis of a full international squad packed with European-based stars.

However, as former coach Pim Verbeek found out, bringing the likes of Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell back to Australia for every Asian Cup qualifier was always going to be a tough task. Unfortunately for Verbeek, his largely A-League based side drew 0-0 away at Indonesia before losing 1-0 at home to Kuwait in Australia's opening two Asian Cup qualifiers.

Not surprisingly, Australia pulled out the big guns thereafter, and a Tim Cahill winner in a scrappy victory over Oman in Melbourne set the Socceroos on their way, with Australia winning the return fixture in Muscat and ultimately finishing as group winners by taking four more points off Kuwait and Indonesia.

Fixtures

Group C

Australia v India; 10 January 2011, Al-Sadd, Doha

Australia v South Korea; 14 January 2011, Al-Gharafa, Doha

Australia v Bahrain; 18 January 2011, Al-Sadd, Doha

Analysis

Australia have been handed a fairly tough group stage draw in Qatar, although they warm up with an opening clash against predicted whipping boys India.

New coach Holger Osieck will be relieved to take on the Bhangra Boys first up given Australia next face regional heavyweights South Korea, before the Socceroos finish the group stage with a tricky looking tie against a gritty Bahrain.

Doubts have surfaced over Australia's lack of pace - particularly in defence - with critics concerned by the prospect of a slick South Korean side dominating a Socceroos outfit which relied heavily on physical football to qualify for the finals.

There's also the fact so many of Australia's star players have reached the wrong side of 30, and with few talented youngsters coming through the ranks, the Socceroos will rely on experience for a crack at the title.

Key player: Tim Cahill

His absence will enrage Everton coach David Moyes, but Tim Cahill has long been the key man for Australia.

The goal scoring midfielder is a constant menace going forward, and his aerial presence makes him Australia's most obvious goal scoring threat in Qatar. A real talisman for the national team: when Cahill plays well, Australia usually get results.

One to watch: Nathan Burns

The former Adelaide United prodigy dropped off the radar after signing for Greek giants AEK Athens, but after a year out on loan, the speedy front man with pace to burn has burst back into form in Athens and could be a real wildcard for Osieck's men.

Coach: Holger Osieck

The highly respected Holger Osieck was assistant coach when West Germany won the World Cup in 1990, and the well credentialled tactician also enjoyed a four-year spell in charge of Canada. But he was essentially installed as Australia coach for his knowledge of Asian football including a spell with Japan's Urawa Reds, and the 62-year-old is expected to use his experience on the continental scene to fire the Socceroos to the knock-out stages of the Asian Cup.

Record

2000; Did not play, 2004; Did not play, 2007; Quarter-finalists

Soccerphile says

Australia's group stage clash with South Korea looms as a key encounter for both sides. A win for the Socceroos would almost certainly guarantee progression to the knock-out stages, however defeat could mean a tricky final group stage game against Bahrain. With Asian powerhouses Iran looming on the other side of the draw, success is hardly guaranteed for an Australian side desperate to make its mark in Asia, although anything less than a quarter-final appearance will be considered an abject failure.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Nathan Coe (Sønderjyske), Brad Jones (Liverpool)
Defenders: Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), David Carney (Blackpool), Sasa Ognenovski (Seongnam Ilhwa), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow), Jade North (Wellington Phoenix), Matthew Spiranovic (Urawa Reds), Jonathan McKain (Al-Nassr)
Midfielders: Tim Cahill (Everton), Jason Culina (Gold Coast United), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United)
Forwards: Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough), Nathan Burns (AEK Athens), Richard Garcia (Hull City), Robbie Kruse (Melbourne Victory)

The winner of the Asian Cup takes part in the Confederations Cup.

Our partner site QatarVisitor.com based in Doha carries all the necessary details on attending the event including travel, visa and hotel information.

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