Alex Wilkinson: underestimate South Korea at your peril

Australia defender Alex Wilkinson talks about his 15-year association with Ange Postecoglou, and the physical threat that Asian Cup rivals South Korea pose

Saturday’s concluding group-stage match could prove pivotal to Australia’s chances of breakthrough success at the Asian Cup. A draw against second-placed South Korea in Brisbane will be enough to ensure top spot and pave the way, in theory at least, for an easier run to the 31 January finale in Sydney.

For Australian central defender Alex Wilkinson the match has a broader context. The former long-serving Central Coast Mariners skipper is the only Socceroo squad member plying his club football in Korea, and the match has unsurprisingly been a regular conversation topic within the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dressing room over recent months.