The expectations on the Socceroos aren't any lower for this Asian Cup, even if the buildup and the mood in Australia are more subdued.
Australia's first foray into Asian continental competition ended in a disappointing quarterfinal exit at the 2007 Asian Cup, going down on penalties to Japan. But that disappointment pales compared with the dual World Cup setbacks in 2010.
Firstly, the Australians were knocked out in the first round in South Africa in a campaign that started with a 4-0 loss to Germany and was nothing like the promising run to the second round of the 2006 World Cup.
Then Australia was eliminated in the first round of voting for host of the 2022 World Cup in a FIFA ballot that awarded the rights to Doha, which is using the Asian Cup this month as its first test run. The Australian bid reportedly only attracted one vote.
But the Australians are still ranked No. 1 in Asia, and with the experience of 2007 behind it, is expecting bigger things in its second continental championship.
The coach who led Australia at last year's World Cup, Pim Verbeek, is gone, replaced by Holger Osieck. While Verbeek basically shunned the domestic A-League players, Osieck did the opposite. He included 14 A-League players in his 50-man provisional squad, but only four survived in the final 23-man squad.
Striker Robbie Kruse, who plays for the Melbourne Victory in the A-League, won his first international call-up along with Denmark-based goalkeeper Nathan Coe. World Cup veterans Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano, both fighting long-term injuries, were missing from the Australian squad.
Tim Cahill played a major role in Australia's 2006 World Cup campaign and has been integral to the lineup since then. He recalls the high expectations on Australia in 2007, and is conscious of not taking anything for granted this time in a group containing South Korea, Bahrain and India.
''It's very difficult for me to consider ourselves favorites. I'm a realist,'' Cahill was quoted saying on the Asian Football Confederation's website this week. ''I want us to do as well as we can in the Asian Cup. But there is potential for a lot of countries to win it and we have to try and work hard to be the best in our group and we'll see what happens after that.
''I don't know if we can justify ourselves as favorites at the moment. We haven't been in camp long enough and obviously there are a lot of new players and we still need to gel and get together, but we've still got some top quality players from around the world and we need to make sure we do well together.''
Cahill, who has taken time away from Everton to play in the tournament, wasn't expecting a glut of goals in the group stage.
''India are the unknown, obviously it's going to be a different game,'' he said. ''But we only beat Bahrain 1-0 away from home with a goal in the 90th minute so they're a very good team and a very strong team ... as for South Korea, they are one of the favorites for me and I don't think it's going to be as easy as it seems.''
Osieck opted for Coe, who plays for Sonderjysk Elitesport, ahead of Adam Federici from English side Reading. The German-born coach also recalled Liverpool back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones, who missed the World Cup in South Africa due to his son's serious illness.
Matt McKay of Brisbane, Jason Culina of Gold Coast and Jade North of Wellington were the other A-League players named in the squad. Kruse has scored 10 goals in 15 A-League matches this season and replaces regular striker Josh Kennedy who has a back injury.
Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny was recalled - he last played for Australia against China in 2008 but was named along with two uncapped players by Osieck.
Osieck was able to call on his usual stars - Cahill, Galatasaray teammates Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Middlesbrough forward Scott McDonald.
Veteran defender Sasa Ognenovski was named after making his debut in last month's friendly against Egypt, capping a season in which he led South Korean club Seongnam Ilhwa to the Asian Champions League title and was named Asian player of the year.
Australia is the highest-ranked team in Asia, currently No. 26, while Japan is 29 and South Korea 40.
The Socceroos were playing a friendly against the United Arab Emirates at Al Ain on Wednesday before heading to Doha.
Australia opens Group C against India on Jan. 10, then plays South Korea on Jan. 14 and Bahrain four days later.
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Australian squad: Mark Schwarzer, Nathan Coe, Brad Jones; Lucas Neill, David Carney, Sasa Ognenovski, Jon McKain, Jade North, Matthew Spiranovic, Luke Wilkshire; Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Neil Kilkenny, Matt McKay, Tommy Oar, Harry Kewell, Carl Valeri; Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Robbie Kruse, Scott McDonald.
