L. Neill-Australia will stroll through this years Asian Cup

[Fiasco]

Lucas Neill believes Australia will stroll through this year's Asian Cup to win the region's most prestigious tournament at their first attempt.

The defender expected Japan and South Korea to put up a fight but said Australia were supremely confident of success.

"From a player point of view, I expect us to go there and be undefeated," Neill told reporters in Australia via a teleconference on Thursday.

"I really think that we've got a team now and a squad now that can handle the conditions.

"Enough of us have played on the big stage now that we won't be intimidated by the teams that we're going to play against."

Neill said Australia's biggest danger was complacency. They are in the same group as Thailand, Iraq and Oman and could get to the final without playing either Japan or South Korea.

"We need to approach each game professionally, make sure we get through our group and not make any silly mistakes in the late stages because I want to go over there to win," Neill said.

"If we don't approach every game with the perfect preparation, with the perfect mentality, then we're going to come unstuck.

[BAGGIO 15]

I don't like theses type of comments from players as the often fuel opposition players to play above themselves.

[Juventino]

Neill is an idiot...

[Trekse10]

Complacency is not a good approach to winning games but

[aussie_ascoli]

Yeah i hate such comments, it makes for an even greater fall.

[rooboy1986]

Lucas Neill believes Australia will stroll through this year's Asian Cup to win the region's most prestigious tournament at their first attempt.

The defender expected Japan and South Korea to put up a fight but said Australia were supremely confident of success.

"From a player point of view, I expect us to go there and be undefeated," Neill told reporters in Australia via a teleconference on Thursday.

"I really think that we've got a team now and a squad now that can handle the conditions.

"Enough of us have played on the big stage now that we won't be intimidated by the teams that we're going to play against."

Neill said Australia's biggest danger was complacency. They are in the same group as Thailand, Iraq and Oman and could get to the final without playing either Japan or South Korea.

"We need to approach each game professionally, make sure we get through our group and not make any silly mistakes in the late stages because I want to go over there to win," Neill said.

"If we don't approach every game with the perfect preparation, with the perfect mentality, then we're going to come unstuck.

Ummm, pretty comprehensive show of hypocracy here...

Also, i think he is mixing up "Big Stage" with "Conditions", the conditions will be a lot harder than what the euro players are used too, humidity is going to be a huge factor...

Will be interesting.

[The one and only]

Neill is an idiot...

[Hammer]

i don't think he is being complacent, he is merely stating that they should win each game they play, i happen to think they should also.
is there a team that we shouldn't beat?
i think he's being realistic, and people are taking his qoutes out of context.
some teams may be tougher than others, but all are winnable games whoever they play in Asia.
if anyone disagrees please say so.

[Fiasco]

Glenn McGrath said prior to the ashes we will win 5-nil, everyone doubted this comment, seeing as we were in bad form and had lost the previous ashes....

its good to be confident but not coc'ky...

[Juventino]

There are things you can and can't say to the media. You don't come out in public and say "we will win every game", even if that is the mentality in the dressing room (which mabye even then it shouldn't be). Why set off a war of words, when you can concentrate on your game.

[Piola]

when u make these sort of comments you set yourself up to be embarassed. he could have said "we expect to reach the final" or something but to say you will stroll through the comp is an idiotic statement.