Followers of the national team are very familiar with the parallel universe reserved for those almost-got-there-but-for-that-thing-that-went-wrong moments. The loss to South Korea added a few more.
After 94 minutes Australia were on the brink of the Asian Cup semi-finals. Then came South Korean goals from a penalty and a free kick - both conceded by Lewis Miller - and another heartbreaking Socceroos defeat.
Graham Arnold’s side are at their best when they’re underdogs - so at the Asian Cup,where they’re among the favourites,he’s doing what he can to make them feel like the world is against them.
Adelaide United’s Joe Gauci is set to move to Aston Villa,while Socceroos teammate Aziz Behich is off to play with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Koreans will have just two days to prepare for the clash on Saturday morning after a gruelling 120-minute battle with Saudi Arabia. You might say it’s all coming up Arnie.
A clash with either Saudi Arabia or South Korea awaits after Graham Arnold’s men put in a performance that wasn’t quite as smooth as the final score might suggest.
The knockouts have arrived and Graham Arnold’s Australian side will be looking to lay down a marker after an unblemished if unspectacular run through the group stages.
Australia hasn’t been firing on all cylinders at the Asian Cup - but then again,which teams have?
Graham Arnold says those outside of the national team environment don’t appreciate how difficult international football can be after another laborious Asian Cup result.
Graham Arnold’s side will be without striker Mitch Duke as they look to make it three wins from three starts in Qatar and lock in a potentially easier path in the knockout stages.
They’re already through to the next round,but a win over Uzbekistan would confirm a spot on the easier side of the Asian Cup’s knockout bracket - if such a thing even exists at a tournament where the so-called minnows are closing the gap.