Coach Ange Postecoglou has implored his Socceroos to embrace the hype of their looming Asian Cup final.
Australia will meet South Korea in the decider in Sydney on Saturday night but Postecoglou is adamant merely making the final isn’t cause for celebration.
“They have worked very hard to get to this final,” Postecoglou said after the Socceroos’ clinical 2-0 triumph against United Arab Emirates in Tuesday night’s semi-final in Newcastle.
“Enjoy the week. It’s going to be a great few days and it’s all part of getting to a final, you need to embrace it and look forward to it.
“But you walk in the dressing room now, there’s no champagne corks being popped.
“They’re already in recovery mode, they’re already doing all the right things, as they have all tournament.
“The staff are already planning about our next steps, so that part of my job is really easy – we have got good people involved and the players are absolute professionals, so from that perspective I won’t have to do much during the week.”
Australia secured a second consecutive cup final – they lost to Japan four years ago – courtesy of goals from defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson against the Emirates.
Both scored within 14 minutes in a perfect start to what became a comprehensive victory.
“We wanted to start really strong, even if we couldn’t score, to really put some pressure on,” Postecoglou said.
“We felt that was our best chance, if we could get through that early period without conceding and hopefully scoring, then we could control the game after that.
“We came out really strong and whilst I don’t think in the first half, even though we were 2-0 up, we controlled the game, by the time we got into the second half we dominated as we should and made the win comfortable.”
Defender Ivan Franjic hurt a hip in the latter stages, with Postecoglou uncertain about the extent of the injury.
“It’s a final of a major tournament, I reckon unless they chopped (off) his leg, he would put his hand up to play so we’ll see how he settles down,” Postecoglou said.
Socceroos player ratings versus UAE
MAT RYAN: A relative spectator for most of the game but did what he had to do when called upon with the minimum of fuss Rating: 6.
IVAN FRANJIC: Solid at right back and did well to keep tournament’s join top scorer Ali Mabkhout quiet. Lucky not to concede a penalty with a rash tackle that went unpunished in the second half Rating: 7.
JASON DAVIDSON: Took his first international goal well with a cool finish. Comfortable on the ball, should be a regular at this level for a long time: 7.
MATTHEW SPIRANOVIC: Caught out for pace on more than one occasion in the first half by the lively UAE attack but got to grips with his task in the second half. Will need to improve in the final against Korea. Rating: 6.
TRENT SAINSBURY: Solid, but occasionally looks vulnerable against pace. Better after halftime and scored his first Socceroos goal with a fine header. Rating: 7.
MARK MILLIGAN: Given the job of keeping the dangerous Omar Abdulrahman in check but struggled to contain the silky-skilled schemer and was substituted after an hour. Rating: 5
MASSIMO LUONGO: One of the young midfielder’s quieter games, but always wants the ball and delivered the perfect corner for Sainsbury’s opener. Rating: 7.
MILE JEDINAK: A mixed bag from the skipper. Could have done more to stop Abdulrahman dictating terms in midfield, but used the ball well and was on the spot to break up a dangerous UAE attack with a strong tackle. Rating: 6.
MATTHEW LECKIE: The all-action winger is always a threat going forward with his pace and physicality, but his inability to use his left foot often hinders his production. Rating: 6.
TIM CAHILL: No goalscoring heroics from the evergreen superstar, but his presence in the box was enough to worry the UAE defence enough to ignore the unmarked Sainsbury for the opening goal. Rating: 7.
ROBBIE KRUSE: Worked hard on both flanks after being switched to the left in the second half. Made a fine 35-metre run, but couldn’t deliver the telling pass as the UAE cleared he danger. Substituted. Rating: 6.
Substitutes:
MATT MCKAY: Brought on to shore up the midfield for the final half-hour. Saw a fierce drive flash just wide as the Socceroos pushed for a third goal. Rating: 6
TOMI JURIC: Came on for Cahill but never really imposed himself on the game. Rating: 6
JAMES TROISI: Came on for the last eight minutes and not given enough time to really impress. Rating: 6
