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Asian Cup Group A Match 1 Review / Match 2 Preview
The Asian Cup kicked off on Friday night with much fanfare, and many would have expected the Group A table to look the way it does following wins to both Australia and Korea Republic on matchday one. Kuwait and Oman fought hard but ultimately it was the group heavyweights that have taken the early control of the group, with the Socceroos top on goal difference.
Australia 4 – 1 Kuwait – Melbourne
The Aussies – both players and fans – were made to sweat on this one, but the Socceroos eventually secured the win over Kuwait on a nervy but ultimately rewarding opening to the 2015 Asian Cup in Melbourne.
As has now become the hallmark of Australian performances, a defensive mistake allowed Kuwait to take a shock lead in only the 8th minute when Hussain Fadhel got free from a corner to power in a diving header at the near post.
The Australians had looked far too casual in the opening exchanges, and concession of the goal seemed to be the kick up the arse they needed, although their play lacked attacking penetration for much of the half.
It took until the 33rd minute for the Socceroos to register a shot on target, but when they did, they made it count, with Tim Cahill (who else) rifling in Massimo Luongo’s neat cutback. Corner flag abuse ensued.
Australia were not content to take a draw to halftime, and duly took the lead in the 44th minute with Luongo on the scoresheet this time, rising highest to head in Ivan Franjic’s enticing cross.
2-1 to Australia at the break, with three goals coming from the only three shots on target in the first half.
The second half was thoroughly entertaining football from start to finish – a fine way to open the tournament. Both sides had great chances, with Matthew Leckie, who was lively throughout the match, and substitute Nathan Burns both hitting the Kuwaiti woodwork, while Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan pulled off a stunning save, tipping Fahad Al Ebrahim’s long range drive onto the bar.
The Socceroos eventually made the result secure just after the hour mark, when captain Mile Jedinak slotted a penalty following a foul on Robbie Kruse. The final touches were put on the victory in second half stoppage time by James Troisi, who followed up Leckie’s tricky run with a powerful finish to beat Kuwait keeper Youssef at his near post.
4-1 a deserved result, with the boost in goal difference likely to come in handy as Australia vie to win Group A ahead of Korea Republic.
Korea Republic 1 – 0 Oman – Canberra
Korea kept the pressure on the Socceroos at the top of Group A, following a dominant win over Oman in Canberra in a match punctuated by outstanding goalkeeping from both sides.
Oman keeper Ali Al-Habsi’s goal was under constant attack almost from the get go, as he was forced to turn away Koo Ja-Cheol’s low drive as early as the 6th minute. Barely 30 seconds later, Korea looked in again after Ki Sung Yueng’s long pass found Son Heung Min in the box, but the midfielders chip was denied by the bar.
Oman manager Paul Le Guen “100%” thought his side should have had a match turning penalty in the 16th minute after Kim Ju-Young appeared to foul Qasim Said. Perhaps Oman’s reputation as divers and cheats preceded them. These theatrics did earn Oman their best chance of the half, but Al Farsi hit his free kick high and wide of the Korean goal.
As halftime approached, Al Habsi was again called into action, alertly denying an own goal by Abdul Salam Amer, who flicked on Kim Jin-Su’s throw in. The Wigan Athletic stopper was keeping Oman in the game, pulling off another fine save from Heung-min’s free kick.
The Oman goal line was then finally breached in first half stoppage time, as Al Habsi was only able to parry Ja-Cheol’s long range strike, with Cho Young Cheol the quickest to latch onto the rebound and poke home the goal.
It was more of the same in the second half, with Al Habsi keeping Oman in the game – although facing fewer chances – as Korea enjoyed almost 70 per cent of the possession throughout the match.
Al Habsi again foiled Ja Cheol as Korea tried to make the result safe, with the keeper pulling off a brilliant save to tip over the striker’s point blank header.
Korean Keeper Kim Jin Hyeon then took centre stage in stoppage time, pulling off an amazing reflex save to tip Amad Al Hosni’s near post header onto the bar to preserve the result.
Despite the late drama, Korea were by far the better side and earned a very well deserved three points.
Canberra Stadium, Tuesday 13 January, 6.00pm AEDT
The nation’s capital hosts another match as Kuwait and Korea Republic square off on matchday two in Group A on Tuesday.
Korea will go into the game full of confidence following their win over Oman, a game where they really should have scored more than one goal. Kuwait will need to be switched on defensively if they are to avoid shipping another hatful of goals in this game, while the Korean’s will need to be far more ruthless with their finishing.
Top spot in the group may come down to goal difference, so Korea will be keen to score loads here to make up the goal difference gap to the Socceroos.
ANZ Stadium, Tuesday 13 January, 8.00pm AEDT
Arguably the single most frustrating fixture for Socceroos fans, given the history between these sides since Australia joined the AFC. The Socceroos, and particularly coach Ange Postecoglou, will need to keep those previous matchups in their mind as they prepare for this contest. Learning the lessons of past meetings with Oman is the key to beating them, specifically not allowing Oman to score first and backing off slightly with pressing and pressure so as not to give away needless free kicks. If Australia are able to do these two things, then Oman’s ‘gamesmanship’ tactics won’t become a factor (surely Oman’s players won’t be diving an poncing around on the floor if they’re losing?), allowing the Socceroos to concentrate simply on their own approach and winning the game.
In fairness, Oman were poor in large parts of their defeat to Korea, and Australia should continue on their winning ways.
