China vs Australia – From The Stands Asian Cup – Quarter Final Preview
The second match of the knockout stage will be the quarter final between Group B winners China and Group A runner-up and hosts Australia. The venue for this clash will be Suncorp Stadium on Thursday the 22nd at 8.30pm.
Australia are overwhelming favourites in this match-up against China, who are one of four teams who have won all their matches so far. For this reason I believe the Australians must be wary as the country with over 1.3 billion people have played some dominant football thus far.
Australia’s progression to this stage included two wins and a loss. Their opening match was a 4-1 win over Kuwait, which was straight forward after the opening half hour before a comfortable 4-0 win over Oman in their second match. Australia faced South Korea in their final match in what was considered the biggest match of the tournament in the group stage.
For many, Australia were the dominant side in that match with all the statistics leaning in their favour. But a momentary lapse in concentration just after the half hour mark had South Korea 1-0 thanks to Lee Jung-hyup. It was a match where Australia only need a draw to top Group A so the defeat could really affect the squad mentally.
As for the Chinese, they have been one of the surprise packages of this edition of the Asian Cup. Frenchman Alain Perrin has been in charge just shy of a year and really seems to have a grips of the team. In their first match they ground out a 1-0 win against Saudi Arabia playing a conventional 4-4-2.
In the second match they up against Uzbekistan who, technically are a far superior team. Perrin opted for a defensive 5-4-1 which saw them 1-0 down before coming back to win 2-1. China’s ability on the counter was a vital part in wearing down an Uzbek team who looked like the better team.
China had secured top spot in Group B before their last match against DPR Korea but by half time they were 2-0 up and were looking the far superior side. They conceded 15 minutes into the second half and held on resolutely to win the match 2-1 with a perfect nine points.
Pressure will be on Australian coach Ange Postecoglou after he was criticised for fielding an supposed under strength side for their match against South Korea. A defeat in this match could, although unlikely see him sacked as this tournament is what he publicly stated would be the measuring stick.
Tim Cahill is expected to start and as he has so often been for club and country, will be the focus of the attack with rising star Massimo Luongo being one of the main supply routes. Mile Jedinak should also return after suffering an ankle injury in the opening match.
Sun Ke got subbed off with 20 minutes to go in China’s last match but Perrin is adamant that the sub was only precautionary. The likes of Ke and Yu Hai will be crucial for the Chinese to attack on the counter with Perrin likely to revert to the 5-4-1 that saw them get a win over Uzbekistan.
Australia, despite the defeat to South Korea, are a better side than China and one feels that it will come down to whether the Australians can create and then capitalise on chances. Australia created a dozen goal scoring opportunities against South Korea and converted none of them.
China will be compact and chances could be at a premium. If China can reflect the Australian attack, they will be a strong chance due to Australia’s notorious habit of slipping out of games for 30 second periods.
The pitch could also be factor. The worst of all the pitches at this Asian Cup, the Suncorp Stadium pitch received a patch up with the 18 yard boxes re-turfed. This shouldn’t be a significant factor but I can guarantee the coach that loses on Thursday night will lay heavy blame on the Suncorp Stadium groundskeeper.
Player of the Tournament thus far
China – Sun Ke
The Jiangsu Sainty wide man has been in fine form netting two goals in their win over DPR Korea and three for the tournament. Ke’s pace will be vital for China to exploit the Australian defence.
Australia – Mat Ryan
Even though he only has 16 caps, the former Central Coast Mariner is the first name on Postecoglou’s team sheet. Ryan has made a number of crucial saves in all three matches and has commanded his box well. His distribution has also been first class.
Highlight
China – Uzbekistan were the favourite to top Group B and after 50 minutes of their clash at Suncorp Stadium that seemed inevitable. However, two goals in a quarter of an hour saw China win the match 2-1 and guarantee top spot in the group for Perrin’s men.
Australia – The 4-0 win over Oman was not only the highlight of this Asian Cup for Australia but arguably the highlight of Postecoglou’s tenure in charge. Three goals to the good at half time with four different scorers by full time made for a memeroble night.
Fixture History (Head to Head)
Played: 7. China: 4 wins (10 goals). Drawn: 1. Australia – 2 wins (11 goals)
Probable XIs
China
Wang
Zhang C – Zhang L – Mei – Jiang
Zhang Z – Xi
Hai – Junmin – Ke
Gao
Australia
Ryan
Franjic – Sainsbury – Wilkinson – Behich
Bresciano – Jedinak – Luongo
Kruse – Cahill – Leckie
Prediction
With so much pressure on the Australian’s, I expect a nervous start. If China can capitalise on this than the match could be turned on its head. If Australia can weather the early storm I back them to win 2-0.
FTS Fact
The last match between these two nations was in the 2013 East Asian Cup where China beat Australia 4-3. The scorers that day for China were Yu Dabao, Sun Ke, Yang Xu and Wu Lei as for Australia the scorers were Aaron Mooy, Adam Taggart and Mitchell Duke.
Follow me on Twitter @dylaneloiarvela
Image courtesy of http://blog.tomwaterhouse.com
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