Australia's Mark Milligan scores a goal from a penalty kick during their Asian Cup Group A soccer match against Oman at the Stadium Australia in Sydney January 13, 2015.
Australia's Mark Milligan scores a goal from a penalty kick during their Asian Cup Group A soccer match against Oman at the Stadium Australia in Sydney January 13, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Australian national football team have had a dream start to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. In the first two matches they have scored eight goals and conceded just one in return. They have already secured a quarter-final berth. Such performances have not only grabbed the nation's attention but also raised expectations quite high. Now they are expected to beat a much higher ranked South Korean side in their final group match, a feat which they are more than capable to accomplish.

Australia and South Korea have played against each other five times. South Korea have won two matches, drawn another two and Australia have one the other match. The only match played on Australian soil ended in a one all draw. Australia's only victory against South Korea was at a 2012 friendly in Hwaseong Stadium, South Korea with a one-two score line.

What is going for the free flowing Australian side is the ability to score goals from everywhere. Almost all of their attacking players have gotten on the score sheet in the first two matches. Coach Ange Postecoglou has been proactive and has brought in the changes even after the comfortable win in the first match against Kuwait.

He had to bench captain Mile Jedinak because of injury. In his place he brought in Mark Milligan. The attacking trio were left untouched and rightly so they have had two very good games back to back. Left sided midfielder James Troisi was replaced by Matt McKay. The back four was also tweaked. Left back Aziz Behich was replaced by Jason Davidson. The changes brought in the desired effects. The team did not concede any goal in their second match against Oman.

South Korea were not as convincing as they ought to have been against two sides with much lower ranking and footballing pedigree than them. Two first half goals have also secured their place in the quarter finals. They must pull up their socks against a rampaging Australian side otherwise they are in danger of being handed their first defeat of the tournament. The group winners will most definitely have the advantage of playing a weaker opposition in the quarter-final stage.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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