Confirmation that the Asian Cup has been postponed until December 2027 would have caught few by surprise. But the timing of Tuesday’s announcement might have, given it came well ahead of the late November timeframe hinted at by the AFC. Yet with Houthi attacks continuing across Saudi Arabia, it felt inevitable the tournament would be deferred.
However foreseeable though, it has left the Socceroos, their coach Tony Popovic and Football Australia at a crossroads. It is a major tournament the Socceroos harboured hopes of winning. Japan would have been considered favourites; the Samurai Blue, despite having been underachievers since winning in 2011, have earned that mantle.
But, despite back-to-back quarter-final exits, Australia are also acknowledged as a continental heavyweight by their peers, coming off a World Cup in which they were one of only two Asian sides to progress to the knockout stages. And with rivals such as Qatar, South Korea and Iran all aging and/or experiencing significant upheaval, the regional picture suggested they should have challenged in January. Popovic would have been able to take to Saudi Arabia a side brimming with young talent and boasting an enviable combination of consistent improvement and valuable World Cup experience.
They would have been building on an October window in which they twice met Brazil and a pair of ideal preparatory games against the 2023 Asian Cup finalists, Qatar and Jordan, in November. Even with fitness concerns hovering over Mohamed Touré and Jordy Bos, the talent and momentum was there for the Socceroos to win a second Asian crown. Nonetheless, there are silver linings.
The tournament may benefit from a 12-month delay, as it will feel less like a post-World Cup afterthought. The postponement could also allow the Socceroos to further evolve and become even better by Christmas next year. Another 11 months means further development, both for the Socceroos as a collective and for individuals such as Nestory Irankunda, Paul Okon-Engstler, Alessandro Circati and Lucas Herrington.
Following their recent high-profile moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs and leagues, that progression could be significant. It also allows for injured players such as Bos, Touré and Lewis Miller time to recover, while other youngsters yet to establish themselves get more time to impress. In this scenario, the hope is that a bird in the hand isn’t worth two in the bush – that more injuries don’t strike and that veterans such as Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behich maintain their current form.
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