Australia and South Korea meet in the final of the Asian Cup on Saturday morning. Here’s a view from the experts in the two nations:
– Tim Cahill confident Australia can win ‘special’ Asian Cup final
– Batistuta: Argentina legend ready to take the plunge into management
– Sport360’s fantasy football tips: Two teams licking their lips (GW23)
– #360win: WWE LIVE Abu Dhabi tickets and Superstars meet & greet
Rob Brooks, Australian Expert
How they reached the final: Having entered the tournament with a cloud of doubt hanging over their form and ability to score goals, the Socceroos built a foundation of confidence with wins over Kuwait and Oman. Letting top place in Group A slip to South Korea could have been disastrous, but Australia have played with great poise in overcoming China and UAE in the knockout phase.
Best performance so far: Certainly the most necessary performance was the 4-1 win over Kuwait on the opening night. The Socceroos conceded a sloppy goal early on, and it appeared the tournament could be over not long after it began for the hosts. But the momentum gained after bouncing back so emphatically in that game has helped propel them into the decider.
Worst performance: Worryingly, this came against the Socceroos’ opponent in the final, South Korea. Despite creating a glut of chances, the team simply could not find a way past goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon. Whilst there was just the one slip up in defence on the night, this 1-0 defeat saw Australia miss out on top spot in Group A.
Best player so far: It is expected that Tim Cahill will lead the attack, and he has not disappointed in scoring three goals thus far. Still an outside chance of claiming the Golden Boot for the tournament, Cahill’s brace in the quarter-final against China cemented his place as one of Australia’s greatest big-stage athletes.
Most disappointing player so far: This tournament has been one of the best team efforts from the Socceroos in recent history, so it is harsh to pick out any individual. However, for all his toil, the time has come for Mathew Leckie to start scoring regularly for the national team as he has yet to open his account.
Likely XI: Mat Ryan, Jason Davidson, Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Spiranovic, Ivan Franjic, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Massimo Luongo, Robbie Kruse, Tim Cahill, Mathew Leckie
Prediction: 2-0 to Australia. It would be a great vindication of coach Ange Postecoglou’s vision if Australia keep a clean sheet en route to claiming their first major international trophy.
John Duerden, South Korean expert
How they reached the final: With growing confidence. The poor World Cup was on minds during the early games with a team that looked nervous yet the defence has held firm for the first time in years and after 480 minutes has yet to be breached. Amid injuries and illness, that is impressive enough but then the likes of Son Heung-min have become more dangerous as the tournament has progressed. After already beating Australia in the group stage, there is a belief that it can be done again when it really matters.
Best performance so far: The 2-0 semi final win over Iraq was the most controlled performance of the tournament so far. Two well-taken goals, a solid defensive performance and a feeling that there was another gear if necessary.
Worst performance: The 1-0 win over Kuwait in the second game was as nervous as it gets. Perhaps it was necessary as it showed coach Uli Stielike the work that was still to be done.
Best player so far: Ki Seung-yeung. The Swansea City midfielder is always elegant but is maturing into a top-class player who can control games. Rarely gives the ball away, he makes Korea tick.
Most disappointing player so far: Few to speak of. Lee Keun-ho, 2012 Asian Player of the Year, has not made much impact.
Likely XI: Kim Jin-hyun; Cha Du-ri, Kim Young-gwon, Kwak Tae-hwi, Kim Jin-su; Ki Seung-yeung, Park Joo-ho; Han Kyo-won, Nam Tae-hee, Son Heung-min, Lee Jung-hyeob
Prediction: Korea to shade a tight game in extra time
