This was published 11 years ago
Oh so close: Socceroos' 2011 Asian Cup
Despite an underwhelming 12 months, Australia's performance in their previous Asian Cup appearance will give the Socceroos confidence.
In 2011 in Qatar, the Socceroos came agonisingly close to taking home the silverware after a thrilling run to the final.
They managed to take the decider to extra time before going down by a single goal to Japan.
In the first match, the Socceroos beat India 4-0.
Confederation giants, South Korea, provided a tougher challenge in the next match.
The Socceroos claimed a point in the match thanks to a strike from Mile Jedinak.
The then-Gençlerbirliği midfielder celebrates his goal with Brett Emerton.
Jedinak scored the only goal against Bahrain as the Socceroos progressed from the group.
The Socceroos left it late in the quarters. Harry Kewell scoring the only goal in extra-time.
In the semi-final, the Socceroos hammered Uzbekistan.
The 6-0 victory put the the Socceroos into the final where they would face Japan.
