Australia were defeated by Japan by a solitary goal in the Asian cup recently. Tadanari Lee scored in the 109th minute at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Lee was left alone in the area and volleyed a cross from Yuto Nagatomo past Mark Schwarzer for his first international goal.

Japan previously won the four-yearly continental championship in 1992, 2000 and 2004. It had been tied on three titles with Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Australia was playing in the final for the first time since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.