People won’t be so kind to the Socceroos if they mimic their Brazil losses in the Asian Cup
People won’t be so kind to the Socceroos if they mimic their Brazil losses in the Asian Cup.
Many observers feel a place in the semi-finals or final is the pass mark for Ange Postecoglou’s squad, and assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar knows the host must deliver.
The 16-team event kicks off in Melbourne when Australia plays Kuwait in Group A – which also includes Oman and Korea Republic – on 9 January.
And Vidmar feels it is time the Socceroos converted their promising development under Postecoglou into success.
“Ange has done a fantastic job in turning the perception of what the national team is about right around. But this is just the beginning – we can’t stop here,” he told SEN radio.
“Failure at the Asian Cup would be a disaster.”
Despite a poor showing in Brazil, defending champion Japan – drawn in Group D with Jordan, Iraq and Palestine – will go into the tournament as the favourite,
with Australia and the Koreans considered the next strongest teams.
“It’s not easy to win the Asian Cup … there are some very, very good teams there,” Vidmar added.
“If you have a look at the team at the World Cup – South Korea are a very young group and will now have a new coach. Japan will also have a new coach and then there’s a team like Iran, they’ve got a lot of good players and are exciting to watch.
“When you take those teams off the world stage and bring them into an Asian tournament they are a completely different kettle of fish.
“It’s not going to be easy.”
Source: Omnisport
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 