Australia vs. South Korea – From The Stands Asian Cup – Final Preview

So there were two. The final and most vital game of the tournament is here. The game is due to be played in front of 76,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.

The first team, South Korea have had a rather stunning run through to the final having not conceding a goal. They qualified for this game by rather comfortably beating Iraq in a Semi Final at the same ground. In truth however, a sweat has rarely been raised throughout the tournament with only perhaps their final opponents causing concern in the South Korean camp. As you would expect with a powerhouse such as South Korea, they have a number of players who play their football in Europe and this experience will potentially be vital in their first final in 24 years. Like the group stage game against this same opponent, they will not be afraid to play underdogs and look to put pressure on their opposition. That still doesn’t take away that this team is a strong unit all across the park worthy of being in a final.

The second team in the final and host nation Australia have been gathering momentum throughout the competition. They as well haven’t raised much of a sweat in the tournament in qualifying for the final. Two early goals helped them see off the impressive UAE in Newcastle on Tuesday and potentially most satisfying for fans, players alike was that two defenders scored them. The Socceroos too will call upon their experience in the big time, Jedinak and Cahill in particular will be vital if they are to win this tournament for the first time after going all so close in the 2011 edition. Confidence will be gained from the fact that they mostly controlled the previous meeting between the two and were unlucky to win, let alone draw. The Socceroos will be looking to you, the nation’s public to guide them home this Saturday night. Bring on what could be the most important night in our football history.

Player of the Tournament:

Son Heung-min (South Korea). The forward who plays his football in Germany for Bayern Leverkusen has been their best. The tenacious livewire has hit form in the latter stages of this competition scoring a double against Uzbekistan and proving slippery in the Semi Final. Also look out for Lee Jeong-hyeop and the ever reliable Ki Sung-yeung.

Tim Cahill (Australia). At times it feels like the experienced forward carries the hopes of Australia on his shoulders. Although making a name for himself in centre midfield, he has now established himself as a centre forward/striker. Always a threat, the striker proved his worth in the quarter final scoring both goals against China including a spectacular overhead.

Highlight of the Tournament:

Although they all played it down, South Korea’s highlight would be topping the group stage and claiming a psychological scalp against their now final opponents. A goal by Lee Jung-hyup secured victory in the 33th minute.

As I mentioned in the player of the tournament section, Tim Cahill is always a threat and his overhead kick goal against China is quite possibly the goal of the tournament. That broke the ice for the hosts, as they went on to win the game by a comfortable margin of two goals.

Fixture History (Head to Head):

Played: 32. South Korea: 11. Draws: 9. Australia: 12.

Asian Cup:  Played: 2 South Korea: 1 Draws: 1 Australia: 0

Probable XI:

South Korea:

Kim Jin-hyeon; Du-ri, Tae-hwi, Young-gwon, Jin-su; Joo-ho, Sung-yueng; Heung-min, Tae-hee, Kyo-won; Jung-hyup.

Australia:  

Ryan; Franjic, Sainsbury, Spiranovic, Davidson; Jedinak, Milligan, Luongo; Kruse, Cahill, Leckie.

Prediction:     Australia 2-1.

FTS Fact:         Neither side has won an Asian Cup Final. Guaranteed history.

Google+